Waymo Expands Driverless Tests to 10 New Cities This Year — Here's Where Robotaxis Are Coming

Alphabet's self-driving unit, Waymo, is ramping up its autonomous vehicle operations in 2025. The company announced plans to expand its driverless services to 10 new cities across the U.S. as part of an ambitious growth strategy. While San Francisco remains the cornerstone of Waymo's robotaxi services, the company aims to offer the driverless experience in multiple locations nationwide.

Waymo is now the last major robotaxi service operating in the U.S. after the closure of its rival, Cruise, last year. General Motors' Cruise shifted focus to integrating its self-driving technology into personal vehicles, leaving Waymo as the dominant player in the market.

Waymo Launches Testing in Las Vegas, San Diego

Waymo revealed it will begin its 2025 expansion with small-scale autonomous vehicle tests in Las Vegas and San Diego. The testing program, which will involve operators behind the wheel as a safety precaution, is designed to gather data and refine Waymo's self-driving technology.

These "small-scale experiments" will allow the company to assess its vehicles' performance on a wider range of roads, collecting crucial data to prepare for future fully autonomous rides without human intervention.

According to Engadget, while the expansion is set to increase Waymo's presence in key cities, the initial testing phase will focus on system training rather than passenger rides. The company has yet to disclose all the cities that will be involved in the experiment but has indicated that Miami, Austin, and Atlanta are among the possible locations. Waymo's vehicles have also been spotted in Michigan and upstate New York during winter trials.

Waymo's Long Journey to Autonomous Service

Waymo's path to launching its self-driving service has been gradual. Although the company announced its self-driving ambitions years ago, it spent significant time perfecting its technology and securing necessary permits. In 2021, Waymo received approval to operate its autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, a key milestone for its ride-hailing service.

The company further expanded its operations in California after securing approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to offer driverless rides throughout San Francisco. This approval marked a significant step forward, allowing Waymo to move beyond pilot programs and into broader, unrestricted service.

As Waymo expands its footprint in the U.S. and abroad, it is targeting cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, Miami, and Tokyo. The company aims to make its driverless rides accessible to users globally.