Waymo Expands: Now Operating in Minneapolis, New Orleans & Tampa

Waymo's Continued Expansion Across the US

Waymo is targeting three additional cities for expansion within the United States: Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Tampa.

The company announced on Thursday its intention to begin operating vehicles in these locations under manual control “in the coming days.” This precedes comprehensive testing and validation of its autonomous driving technology.

Growing Robotaxi Network

Ultimately, Waymo aims to introduce a commercial robotaxi service in each of these cities. These additions build upon an expanding roster of locations where Waymo has either launched or is planning to launch its driverless taxi services.

Currently, the Alphabet-owned company provides rides on both surface streets and highways in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Services are also active in Austin and Atlanta.

Future Expansion Plans

Looking ahead to 2026, Waymo anticipates extending its reach to include Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Testing is also underway in New York City, with plans to initiate commercial rides internationally, beginning with London and Tokyo.

Unique Challenges in New Locations

The newly announced cities may present distinct operational hurdles for Waymo. Minneapolis, for example, experiences particularly severe winter conditions.

Snowfall could potentially challenge Waymo’s perception systems, and reduced traction will demand increased performance from its automated driving system.

New Orleans, conversely, features a network of narrow, one-way streets with significant pedestrian traffic, particularly within the French Quarter.

Strategic Partnerships

As Waymo expands, it is collaborating with various partners to facilitate fleet operations. Vehicles are accessible through the Uber app in both Austin and Atlanta.

Moove, an African mobility and fintech company, has assumed operational responsibilities in Phoenix and will extend these services to Miami. Avis Budget Group will manage the fleet in Dallas.

It remains uncertain whether Waymo will pursue similar partnerships in these new cities.

Leading the Robotaxi Race

Waymo is currently demonstrating a faster pace of expansion compared to other companies in the autonomous vehicle sector. Zoox, owned by Amazon, is offering complimentary rides in its purpose-built robotaxi in Las Vegas.

Zoox is also allowing members of its early-rider program to utilize the service in San Francisco while awaiting a necessary exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for full commercial deployment.

Tesla's Progress

Tesla is also working to broaden its developing robotaxi service, which currently includes safety monitors in the driver’s seat. This week, the company obtained a permit to begin offering rides in Arizona, in addition to Austin and San Francisco.