Waymo expands operations

Waymo is widening its robotaxi footprint, opening service in more cities and pushing its self-driving cars into new markets this month. (axios.com) The Alphabet company now operates in 11 cities, gives about 500,000 paid trips a week, and says its vehicles have logged roughly 200 million fully driverless miles. Axios reported those figures on April 15, 2026, as Waymo accelerated expansion in the United States and abroad. (axios.com) In Florida, Waymo said on April 15 that anyone in Miami and Orlando can now open the Waymo app and request a fully autonomous ride. The company said more than 150,000 riders had already used the service from its initial interest list in those two cities over the last few months. (waymo.com) Local outlets reported the Orlando service area covers about 60 square miles, including downtown Orlando and the tourism district. In Miami, the Miami Herald reported Waymo vehicles are also using Interstate 95, allowing faster trips for riders. (clickorlando.com) (miamiherald.com) Waymo is also moving into London, where it began testing autonomous vehicles on public roads this week. TechCrunch reported on April 14 that the company is preparing for a commercial robotaxi launch there later in 2026. (techcrunch.com) Waymo had already said in October 2025 that it intended to offer rides in London in 2026 through the Waymo app, with Moove as its fleet operations partner. The London test program extends Waymo’s expansion beyond the United States after earlier moves in Tokyo and other international planning. (waymo.com) (axios.com) In Nashville, Lyft’s Flexdrive unit has begun building an 80,000-square-foot depot to charge, maintain, and service a newly deployed Waymo fleet, Axios reported April 15. Lyft and Waymo had announced in September 2025 that Nashville service would launch in 2026, with rides available through both companies’ apps. (axios.com) (lyft.com) A robotaxi is a ride-hailing car that drives itself using software, sensors, and detailed maps instead of a human driver. Waymo’s recent moves show the business shifting from limited waitlists and test routes toward broader public service, city by city. (waymo.com) (techcrunch.com) The company is expanding while competitors pursue different models. Axios reported Tesla is betting on consumer-owned vehicles and Uber is leaning on partnerships, while Waymo is operating its own branded service and adding partners like Lyft where it needs local fleet support. (axios.com)