Waymo Expands Robotaxi Services Across Major US Cities, Revealing Safety and Cost Insights

Waymo, Alphabet's robotaxi service, has seen rapid expansion since launching to the public in 2020. The service, which provides fully autonomous rides, is now operational in several U.S. cities, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo integrates with the Uber app, allowing users to request autonomous rides through the platform. Origins and Development Waymo originated as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, initiated by Google cofounder Sergey Brin and led by Sebastian Thrun, a pioneer in the self-driving industry. Initial prototypes included a self-driving Prius, which was the first automated vehicle to receive a license in the U.S. from Nevada's DMV in 2012. In 2016, the project spun out into its own company under Alphabet, and Waymo began extensive testing with 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans. The company later partnered with Jaguar to incorporate the I-PACE electric SUV into its fleet and is exploring collaborations with Hyundai and Zeekr. Service Expansion By May 2025, Waymo had delivered over 10 million paid rides. To enhance its fleet, the company opened a 239,000-square-foot factory in Mesa, Arizona, tasked with retrofitting more than 2,000 Jaguar I-PACE SUVs with autonomous capabilities. Waymo also expressed interest in licensing its technology to automakers, with early discussions ongoing with Toyota. How to Ride Prospective riders within Waymo's operating areas can access the service via the Waymo One app or through Uber in Austin and Atlanta. Fare prices are determined by distance and time, similar to traditional ride-hailing services. A 2023 Business Insider report noted that a five-mile, 20-minute Waymo ride in Phoenix cost $11, matching Uber's price. However, a third-party study in 2025 found that Waymo's rides are generally more expensive, costing around $5 more than comparable trips with Uber and Lyft. Safety Record Waymo claims its autonomous vehicles are significantly safer than human-driven cars. Data provided to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from 2022 to 2025 showed 419 collisions involving Waymo's robotaxis. Despite this, the collision rate has decreased dramatically, with 147 collisions per 100,000 rides in early 2022 dropping to just 7 per 100,000 rides by early 2025. Compared to human drivers, Waymo's autonomous system has a 93% lower rate of pedestrian crashes with injuries and a 79% lower rate of airbag deployments. Technical Issues and Challenges While Waymo's safety record is improving, some technical glitches persist. For instance, one rider reported a Waymo vehicle driving in circles, and there have been incidents of robotaxis honking at each other at waypoints. These issues highlight the ongoing challenges in perfecting autonomous driving technology. Competitors Waymo faces stiff competition from various players in the autonomous vehicle market. Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin in June 2025, with initial deployment of 10 to 20 cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticized Waymo's higher expansion costs. Amazon's Zoox is also a formidable competitor, focusing on purpose-built robotaxis without steering wheels and actively testing in multiple U.S. cities. Zoox recently opened a 220,000-square-foot production facility in California. Software-oriented companies like Wayve and May Mobility are developing autonomous technologies and forming partnerships with ride-hailing platforms. May Mobility, based in Ann Arbor, has partnered with Lyft to deploy an autonomous fleet in Atlanta. Internationally, companies such as Baidu's Apollo Go and WeRide are rapidly expanding driverless taxi services in China. Industry Impact Waymo's expansion and advancements in autonomous vehicle technology are pivotal in shaping the future of mobility. However, the higher operating costs and occasional technical hiccups suggest ongoing hurdles in achieving widespread adoption and profitability. Nonetheless, Waymo's safety improvements and strategic partnerships position it strongly in the competitive landscape of autonomous transportation. Company Profile Alphabet, under the leadership of CEO Sundar Pichai, has been granting more operational autonomy to its subsidiaries, including Waymo. This restructuring aims to optimize operations and foster innovation outside the constraints of Google's corporate framework. Despite recent layoffs and organizational changes, Waymo remains committed to its mission of delivering reliable and safe autonomous transportation. The company's international ambitions, particularly in Japan, underscore its commitment to global expansion in the AI-driven mobility sector.