Driverless taxis are ready to hit the streets of Florida’s second-largest city. Waymo announced it will expand its services to Miami, offering transportation to riders starting in 2026.
A Waymo spokesperson said the company has been testing the vehicles’ driving performance since 2019. The service has run different trials through Miami’s wet and rainy climate, perfecting its ability to navigate changing weather patterns.
Waymo said it will operate in parts of Miami’s most populated areas.
Miami’s addition to Waymo’s roster comes after the company received a $5.6 billion investment. In October, Waymo closed on a funding order with plans to use the money toward the advancement of its services.
In November, sources revealed President-elect Donald Trump’s team was working on new legislation to ease restrictions currently in place for self-driving vehicles. If passed, it would allow manufacturers like Waymo to deploy more vehicles.
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are already cruising the streets of San Francisco, Austin, Los Angeles and Phoenix. The company added Miami to the list as the market for robotaxis becomes more competitive.
Several companies, including Tesla, General Motors and Amazon, have also been testing self-driving services.
Waymo remains the only developer to offer autonomous ride-hailing taxis. According to the company, it’s seen more than 150,000 paid riders per week across its major metro areas.
Partnerships between vehicle financing company Moove and Uber have helped to keep Waymo ahead of the race.
Starting in 2025, Uber will take over fleet management of Waymo vehicles. Moove will be responsible for infrastructure in Phoenix starting early next year.
