Waymo Launches Paid Robotaxi Service in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has spent years developing autonomous vehicles and gradually rolling out its robotaxi service in select US cities. The company began by testing in controlled environments and slowly moved to limited public trials. Over time, Waymo expanded its service to several cities, focusing on safety and regulatory compliance while collecting real-world driving data.

The push for robotaxi expansion comes as competition in the autonomous vehicle market heats up, especially with companies like Amazon's Zoox also entering the space. Waymo's approach has been methodical, prioritizing gradual access and public trust.

On September 1, 2026, Waymo announced it would launch paid robotaxi rides in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, according to Bloomberg Technology. This move brought the total number of US cities with Waymo's driverless ride-hail service to 14. Mashable Tech highlighted that the expansion into Denver marks Waymo's entry into Colorado, broadening its geographic reach.

TechCrunch reported that Waymo would start by inviting riders on a rolling basis, gradually ramping up access in the three new cities. This mirrors the company's typical commercial strategy, which focuses on scaling up as demand and operational readiness grow.

At the same time, Amazon's Zoox announced plans to start testing its own autonomous rides in Houston and San Diego, as noted by Techmeme and Seeking Alpha. This signals increasing competition and interest in autonomous transportation across more US cities.

Engadget reported high public interest in Waymo's new cities, citing tens of thousands of sign-ups at each location. The Next Web pointed out that Denver is Waymo's first commercial deployment in a city known for real snowfall, which presents new challenges for autonomous systems.

Waymo's robotaxi service is now open to the public in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa. The company is following its usual approach by expanding rider access over time, rather than opening up to everyone immediately. This lets Waymo manage demand and refine operations as it scales up.

With these additions, Waymo now operates in 14 US cities, and public interest appears strong. The company is also testing its technology in more diverse weather conditions, particularly in Denver, which could help improve system reliability.

The next steps will likely focus on how quickly Waymo can expand access to more riders in these cities. Observers are also watching to see how the system handles Denver's winter conditions and whether the company will announce further expansions.

Competition is intensifying, especially with Zoox beginning tests in Houston and San Diego. The pace of adoption and regulatory responses in each city will shape how quickly autonomous ride-hailing becomes a common sight.