Waymo has significantly expanded its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, increasing its operational area to 90 square miles. This expansion more than doubles its previous coverage of 37 square miles and directly challenges Tesla, who recently showcased their own robotaxi capabilities in the same city. Waymo emphasizes its commitment to a fully autonomous, 24/7 service, subtly contrasting it with the perceived limitations of Tesla’s offering.
The expanded service now encompasses neighborhoods like Crestview, Windsor Park, and Sunset Valley, as well as popular destinations such as The Domain and McKinney Falls State Park. Waymo’s robotaxis, accessible via the Uber app, operate without human safety drivers and are available around the clock.
This move signifies Waymo’s increased competitiveness in the burgeoning robotaxi market. With a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles operating across five major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Atlanta, Waymo recently achieved a milestone of 100 million miles of fully autonomous driving. Tesla is planning future expansion of its robotaxi service in Arizona and California.