Waymo removes safety drivers in Miami ahead of 2026 launch

Waymo has officially begun removing safety drivers from its fleet of robotaxis in Miami, marking a significant step towards its planned commercial launch in 2026. As announced in a recent blog post, the company will start providing fully autonomous rides to its employees in the city. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand its presence across the United States. In the coming weeks, Waymo will extend this service to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. This announcement follows closely on the heels of Waymo achieving a notable milestone: the introduction of paid rides on highways in key cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Earlier this year, the company also launched operations in Atlanta and Austin, partnering with notable firms like Uber, and initiated a corporate travel program. Waymo is not alone in the race to establish a robotaxi service in the U.S. Just recently, Amazon's Zoox revealed plans to offer complimentary rides in its specially designed robotaxis to participants in its early rider program in San Francisco. This follows a similar initiative in Las Vegas last month. Meanwhile, Tesla has been testing its own robotaxi service in Austin for several months, with CEO Elon Musk previously suggesting that it could be available to half the nation by the end of 2025, even though Tesla vehicles still have safety operators in the driver's seats. As it navigates this competitive landscape, Waymo remains confident in its capabilities. The company emphasized in its blog post that it has not only developed advanced technology but has also created a comprehensive operational playbook for managing autonomous fleets across various locations, complemented by top-tier rider support. Looking ahead to 2026, Waymo has ambitious plans to launch services in cities including Detroit, Las Vegas, San Diego, Nashville, and even London. The company is also conducting tests in New York City, with a permit to continue these operations through at least the end of the year. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated at TechCrunch Disrupt last month that by the end of 2026, the company aims to provide an astounding 1 million rides per week. However, the road to expansion has not been without its challenges. Waymo's technology is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following an incident where one of its vehicles in Atlanta was seen turning in front of a stationary school bus.