Waymo Plans Robotaxi Service Launch in Washington, D.C. by 2026

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (formerly Google), has unveiled plans to introduce its driverless ride-hailing service in Washington, D.C., by 2026.

Photo via Waymo

The company has commenced mapping the city's streets with vehicles operated by safety drivers, adhering to current local regulations that mandate a human presence during autonomous vehicle testing.

To transition to a fully autonomous service, Waymo is collaborating with local policymakers to amend existing laws that currently prohibit the operation of fully driverless vehicles. The company aims to address these regulatory challenges to facilitate the deployment of its robotaxi service.

Waymo's expansion into Washington, D.C., is part of a broader strategy to extend its autonomous services across major U.S. cities.

• The company currently operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, providing over 200,000 paid trips weekly. Future plans include launching services in Atlanta and Miami, with the latter expected to commence in 2026.

The introduction of Waymo's robotaxi service in the nation's capital presents unique challenges, including navigating the city's severe traffic congestion and complex urban landscape.

Despite these hurdles, Waymo asserts that its autonomous vehicles have demonstrated safety benefits, reporting 81% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers over more than 50 million rider-only miles.

As Waymo prepares for its Washington, D.C., launch, the company remains focused on advancing autonomous vehicle technology and working closely with regulators to ensure a safe and efficient rollout.