Waymo plans robotaxi expansion to Las Vegas, San Diego, Detroit

Waymo, Alphabet Inc.'s autonomous driving division, is expanding its robotaxi services to new U.S. cities including Las Vegas, San Diego, and Detroit, with operations expected to begin as early as next year for San Diego and summer 2026 for Las Vegas. The company has already provided over 10 million paid rides and driven more than 100 million fully autonomous miles, and it claims its service is safer than human drivers. The new expansions will involve a mix of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles equipped with the fifth-generation Waymo Driver and Zeekr RT vehicles featuring the sixth-generation driver software, designed to handle various weather conditions, including snow in Detroit. Las Vegas officials, including Mayor Shelley Berkley, have endorsed Waymo’s arrival, highlighting its potential to improve mobility for residents and millions of visitors. Waymo is also developing capabilities for operating in heavier snow, having tested in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and regularly in Detroit, signaling readiness to tackle challenging environments. This growth is part of Alphabet's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in autonomous vehicle technology alongside its strong financial performance and investments in emerging technologies.