Waymo Removes Safety Drivers in Miami | Autonomous Vehicle Update

Waymo Expands Autonomous Ride-Hailing Services

Waymo is initiating the removal of safety operators from its robotaxi fleet in Miami, Florida, commencing today. This precedes a planned commercial launch of the service in 2026, representing a significant step in the company’s ongoing national expansion efforts.

Phased Rollout Across Multiple Cities

According to a blog post released on Tuesday, Waymo will begin providing fully autonomous rides to its employees within Miami. Over the coming weeks, this same capability will be extended to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, Texas, as well as Orlando, Florida.

This development follows closely on the heels of Waymo’s recent announcement regarding paid rides on highways in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. The company has also launched services this year in Atlanta and Austin, partnering with prominent companies like Uber, and introduced a dedicated corporate travel program.

Competition in the Robotaxi Market

Waymo is not alone in its pursuit of scaling a robotaxi service within the United States. Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, announced earlier Tuesday that it will soon commence offering complimentary rides in its specially designed robotaxis to participants in its early rider program in San Francisco. A similar program was initiated in Las Vegas in September.

Tesla is also actively testing its own service in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, CEO Elon Musk projected that Tesla’s robotaxi service could be available across half of the country by the end of 2025. However, currently, Tesla vehicles still require the presence of safety operators.

Waymo’s Confidence and Future Plans

Despite the growing competition, Waymo expresses considerable confidence in its position. The company asserts it has not only developed the core technology but also established a comprehensive operational framework for autonomous fleets.

“We haven’t just built the technology; we’ve developed the definitive playbook for operating autonomous fleets, across dozens of sites, and industry-leading end-to-end rider support,” Waymo stated in its blog post.

Expansion Targets for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Waymo anticipates an even more substantial year for growth. In addition to the five cities previously mentioned, the company intends to launch ride-hailing services in Detroit, Las Vegas, San Diego, Nashville, and London.

Testing is currently underway in New York City, with a permit allowing continued operation through at least the end of the year. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana projected at TechCrunch Disrupt last month that the company aims to provide 1 million trips per week by the end of 2026.

Ongoing Safety Reviews

Waymo’s expansion has not been without scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating the company’s technology following an incident in Atlanta where a Waymo vehicle was recorded maneuvering in front of a stationary school bus.