Waymo Launches Fully Autonomous Robotaxis Across U.S. Cities with Sixth-Generation Driver System

Waymo, the autonomous driving subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has officially launched fully autonomous robotaxi services across several major U.S. metropolitan areas, utilizing its advanced sixth-generation Driver system. The rollout, which began in early 2026, marks the company’s most ambitious expansion to date, moving beyond pilot programs to full-scale commercial operations without safety drivers in the vehicle. According to internal company communications and public statements, Waymo is targeting one million weekly rides by the end of the year, a significant leap from its previous peak of approximately 200,000 weekly rides in late 2025.

The sixth-generation Driver system represents a comprehensive overhaul of Waymo’s autonomous technology stack, integrating higher-resolution sensors, improved machine learning models trained on over 20 billion miles of simulated and real-world data, and enhanced real-time decision-making algorithms. Unlike previous iterations, the new system can navigate complex urban environments—including dense pedestrian zones, unpredictable traffic patterns, and adverse weather conditions—with minimal human intervention. The vehicles, primarily based on the Jaguar I-PACE and Chrysler Pacifica platforms, are now operating in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta, with plans to expand into Seattle and Miami by mid-2026.

Industry analysts view this expansion as a watershed moment for the autonomous vehicle sector. "Waymo’s scale and operational maturity are setting a new benchmark," said Dr. Lena Torres, senior transportation analyst at the Center for Urban Mobility Innovation. "They’re not just testing autonomy—they’re proving it can be reliable, scalable, and economically viable at urban scale. This could accelerate regulatory acceptance nationwide."

Despite the technological strides, challenges remain. Regulatory frameworks vary widely between states, and public trust in fully driverless vehicles is still evolving. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 58% of Americans remain hesitant to ride in a vehicle with no human driver. Waymo has responded with an aggressive public education campaign, offering free rides to residents in rollout cities and publishing real-time safety performance metrics on its website.

Behind the scenes, Waymo has also partnered with local transit authorities in several cities to integrate its robotaxis into public transportation networks. In Atlanta, for example, Waymo vehicles now serve as first- and last-mile connectors to MARTA rail stations, aiming to reduce car ownership and curb emissions. The company reports a 30% reduction in average trip cost per mile compared to traditional ride-hailing services, largely due to optimized routing and reduced labor expenses.

While sources like electrek.co highlight the scale and ambition of the rollout, the broader context of autonomous vehicle development remains grounded in real-world performance. Waymo’s success hinges not just on technological prowess, but on its ability to maintain safety, reliability, and public confidence as it scales. With over 20 million miles driven autonomously in 2025 alone, and no fatalities attributed to its vehicles, Waymo is positioning itself as the de facto standard in autonomous mobility.

As the robotaxi market heats up—with competitors like Cruise, Zoox, and Aurora accelerating their own deployments—Waymo’s early lead in operational scale could prove decisive. The company has not disclosed financial figures, but insiders suggest it is nearing breakeven on a per-ride basis in its core markets. If current trends hold, Waymo may become the first autonomous ride-hailing service to achieve sustained profitability by 2027.

For now, the streets of America’s cities are quieter, cleaner, and increasingly driverless. Waymo’s sixth-generation system isn’t just changing how we get around—it’s redefining the future of urban transportation.