Waymo launches robotaxi service in Miami, extending U.S. lead

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, announced on Thursday the launch of its robotaxi service for paying customers in Miami, marking a significant step in its 2026 market growth strategy. This expansion makes Miami the sixth U.S. city to host Waymo's driverless ride-hailing service, reinforcing its lead against competitors like Tesla and Zoox, which is owned by Amazon. The service will initially cover a 60-square-mile area, which includes popular neighborhoods such as the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell, and Coral Gables. Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles in Miami in early 2025 and has already garnered interest, with nearly 10,000 Miami residents signing up for the service. The company intends to invite additional riders gradually. Users can book a ride via the Waymo app, while the company has partnered with Moove to manage fleet operations, including vehicle maintenance and charging. The launch comes in the wake of concerns regarding the safety protocols and driving patterns of Waymo's vehicles, particularly after they contributed to traffic congestion during storms and power outages in San Francisco last month. In response, Waymo has been refining its technology to improve performance in challenging conditions. By the end of 2025, Waymo’s robotaxi service was available in five key U.S. markets, including Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. For 2026, Waymo plans to broaden its footprint to additional cities such as Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Nashville. Internationally, the company is also testing its technology in New York, Tokyo, and London, with plans for its first overseas commercial operations to launch this year. In December, Waymo reported a remarkable milestone of over 450,000 weekly paid rides and a total of 14 million trips completed in 2025. Additionally, the company is reportedly in discussions to secure $15 billion in funding, which could further enhance its competitive edge against rivals like Baidu's Apollo Go and WeRide in Asia, as well as emerging North American players like May Mobility and Nuro.