Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, has expanded its robotaxi service to Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, bringing its total number of U.S. cities with commercial operations to 14. The company will begin inviting riders on a rolling basis and gradually increase access in these new markets, following its established commercial strategy. This expansion has increased Waymo’s fleet to over 4,000 vehicles, including Jaguar I-Pace hatchbacks and a new minivan called the Ojai.

The launch in these three cities occurs as Tesla intensifies its efforts to compete in the robotaxi market. Tesla is currently offering rides in its driverless Tesla Model Y vehicles in several U.S. cities, including Tampa, and is developing a custom-built two-seater vehicle called the Cybercab. Waymo’s expansion plan, which accelerated 18 months ago, has solidified its position as the leader in the U.S. robotaxi market. The company has methodically expanded its services from Phoenix to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and multiple other cities, with plans to launch in London and Munich. Waymo’s approach in new markets involves mapping and testing its autonomous vehicle technology, removing human safety operators, and eventually opening the service to invited guests and paying riders, subject to local regulations. In Denver and San Diego, Waymo’s next-generation robotaxi, the Ojai minivan, will be the only autonomous vehicle available to riders initially. Source

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