Lyft and Waymo Partner for Robotaxis in Nashville

Waymo and Lyft Announce Robotaxi Partnership for Nashville

Waymo has formalized an agreement with ride-hailing service Lyft to introduce a robotaxi service in Nashville, Tennessee, slated for launch in 2026.

Initial Testing and Public Launch

The company revealed on Wednesday that testing of its fully-electric, autonomous Jaguar I-Pace fleet will commence in the Nashville region within the next few months.

Public access to the service is anticipated to begin the following year, marking a significant expansion of Waymo’s operational footprint.

Expanding Robotaxi Services Across the US

This partnership signifies a continued acceleration of Waymo’s robotaxi rollout.

The expansion extends beyond its initial commercial market of Phoenix to include major cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Previously announced plans also encompass the deployment of robotaxis in Miami, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Denver.

Shifting Towards Technology Provision

The collaboration with Lyft demonstrates Waymo’s evolving strategy.

The company is transitioning from being solely an operator of robotaxi services to becoming a provider of autonomous vehicle technology.

Earlier this year, a similar model was implemented with Uber in Atlanta and Austin.

Operational Responsibilities

Under the Waymo-Uber arrangement, Waymo maintains responsibility for vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and specific rider support functions.

Uber, in turn, manages fleet services, including vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot operations, facilitated through Moove Cars.

Lyft's Role in Nashville

The Waymo-Lyft partnership in Nashville mirrors this structure.

Lyft will oversee fleet services, encompassing vehicle readiness, maintenance, infrastructure, and depot operations, through its subsidiary, Flexdrive.

Lyft is also investing in a dedicated AV facility to support the fleet’s operational needs.

Dual Access for Robotaxi Customers

A key distinction exists between the Waymo-Lyft collaboration and the Waymo-Uber partnership.

In Nashville, customers will have two avenues to access robotaxis.

Initially, rides will be hailed directly through the Waymo application.

As the service matures, Waymo will also dispatch its autonomous vehicles for matched rides via the Lyft app.

Comparison with Uber Partnership

This contrasts with the Uber partnership in Atlanta and Austin.

In those cities, all potential riders must utilize the Uber app, hoping to be connected with a robotaxi rather than a traditional vehicle.

Previous Collaboration

Lyft and Waymo have collaborated previously, though on a smaller scale.

In 2019, they integrated a limited number of self-driving vehicles into the Lyft ride-hailing network in Phoenix as Waymo initiated its commercial robotaxi service.