Waymo launches Miami robotaxi service amid federal safety probe

The Alphabet unit opens its sixth U.S. robotaxi market while preparing for broader expansion in 2026.

On the Dash:

• Waymo has launched a paid, driverless robotaxi service in Miami, its sixth U.S. market.
• The company plans major U.S. expansion in 2026 despite increased safety scrutiny.
• Miami service begins with a limited area and fleet supported by partner Moove.

Alphabet’s Waymo has launched a commercial robotaxi service in Miami, opening the service to paying riders as part of its broader U.S. expansion planned for 2026.

The rollout makes Miami the sixth U.S. market where the company operates fully driverless ride-hailing. The company said the service is initially available across a 60-square-mile area that includes the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell, and Coral Gables. Riders can request vehicles using the Waymo app, with invitations being extended on a rolling basis.

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Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles in Miami in early 2025 and said it plans to expand service to Miami International Airport in the future. The company did not provide a timeline for the airport launch. Nearly 10,000 Miami residents have already signed up to try the service, according to Waymo.

The Miami launch extends the company’s lead over U.S. competitors such as Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox, which remain earlier in deployment. Waymo ended 2025 operating robotaxi services in Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The company plans to expand into additional U.S. cities in 2026, including Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, Washington, and Nashville.

Waymo is partnering with mobility company Moove to manage fleet operations in Miami, including vehicle charging, cleaning, and repairs. The company reported crossing 450,000 weekly paid rides in December and serving 14 million trips in 2025.

The expansion comes as Waymo faces increased scrutiny over vehicle behavior. Federal safety investigators are examining incidents in Austin where Waymo vehicles failed to properly slow or stop near school buses. The National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have opened probes, though no collisions were reported.

Waymo has filed a voluntary software recall and implemented updates, it says, that improved vehicle behavior around school buses. The company also faced public criticism after robotaxis contributed to traffic disruptions during power outages in San Francisco late last year.

Despite these challenges, the company continues to scale operations while testing in New York, Tokyo, and London, and preparing to launch its first overseas commercial service this year.