Autonomous Vehicle Company Waymo Set to Debut Robotaxi Operations in Dallas
Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving unit, has announced plans to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service to Dallas, Texas, in 2026. The company has already begun testing in the city and aims to start customer rides next year.
The new service will be powered by a multi-year partnership with Avis Budget Group. Avis will manage Waymo's Dallas fleet with end-to-end vehicle readiness, maintenance, infrastructure, and depot operations.
Waymo's autonomous service aims to cater to residents and visitors for various purposes, including attending Dallas Mavericks games and exploring the city's culinary and arts scenes. The service will be available 24/7 via the Waymo app.
This expansion adds Dallas to Waymo’s existing robotaxi cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta. The collaboration aims to help scale Waymo's robotaxi operations even faster across North America.
Waymo cites its track record of improving safety in cities where it already operates. The company currently completes more than 250,000 paid rides and millions of miles of autonomous driving each week across five major U.S. cities.
The expansion aligns with Dallas' goals for convenient, tech-forward transportation solutions. Waymo's driverless fleet will be deployed throughout the city of Dallas, making it available for use in the vibrant downtown and growing metro area.
The partnership with Avis Budget Group signals Waymo's intention to expand its autonomous service to additional cities in the near future. The service's launch in Dallas supports Dallas' Vision Zero goals to reduce road traffic fatalities.
Dallas City Manager, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, expressed excitement about the scheduled fully autonomous ride-hailing services in Dallas next year. Avis Budget Group CEO Brian Choi stated that this partnership marks a pivotal milestone in their evolution towards being a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure, and operations in the mobility ecosystem.
However, no details about the number of driverless vehicles to be deployed, fares, or specific locations within the city were provided.
The collaboration between Waymo and Avis Budget Group is aimed at advancing the technology and finance sectors, as they prepare for the expansion of Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas, Texas. With the launch, their autonomous fleet will cater to various segments of transportation, including servicing Dallas Mavericks games and touring the city's attractions. This move is expected to contribute to Dallas' goals for tech-friendly transportation solutions, particularly in reducing road traffic fatalities through their Vision Zero initiatives. Additionally, the successful venture in Dallas signals Waymo's intentions to further extend its autonomous service to other cities in the near future.
