Waymo Expands Reach to Dallas, Taking Lead in Autonomous Taxi Race Against Tesla
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is set to launch its 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas, Texas in 2026. This expansion marks an important step in Waymo's growth, following its operations in cities like Austin and Phoenix.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has expressed enthusiasm about the scheduled launch, seeing it as a significant step towards improving traffic safety and reducing severe crashes in the city. Waymo's autonomous vehicles will offer a technology-based transportation option for Dallas residents and visitors, providing a convenient way to attend a Mavericks game, visit arts districts, or explore the city's culinary scene.
The Dallas robotaxi fleet will be managed under a multi-year partnership with Avis Budget Group. Avis will handle fleet maintenance, vehicle operations, and depot infrastructure, ensuring effective management of the self-driving cars. The fleet will include electric vehicles such as the Jaguar I-Pace outfitted with Waymo's autonomous driving technology, and testing is already underway in downtown Dallas.
Riders in Dallas will summon Waymo's driverless vehicles via the Waymo app, differing from other cities like Austin where ride-hailing occurs through Uber's platform. Waymo's autonomous driving technology uses lidar, radar, high-resolution cameras, GPS, and HD pre-mapped 3D routes, setting it apart from Tesla's autonomous driving system, which relies solely on cameras and real-time vision.
Waymo's driverless service has already proven its safety record, reporting 88% fewer serious crashes compared to human drivers over 71 million miles driven. This safety record, along with the company's leadership in robotaxis in the U.S., positions Waymo favourably in the competitive landscape, especially with Tesla aggressively pursuing growth in driverless transportation.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has forecasted that his company will cover half of the U.S. with robotaxis by the end of the year, a claim viewed as hyperbolic by Wall Street. However, both Waymo and Tesla are actively expanding their robotaxi pilot programs across multiple cities. In addition to Dallas, Waymo has announced plans to launch its service in Miami and Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Texas is seen as a favourable state for testing autonomous vehicles due to a relatively lax regulatory environment. Waymo is fully permitted for driverless vehicle operation in California, Arizona, and Texas, making it the leader in robotaxis in the U.S. versus Tesla.
As Waymo prepares for its Dallas rollout, it continues to provide over 250,000 paid trips and drive millions of miles every week across five cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta. The company's expansion into Dallas promises to bring a new era of autonomous transportation to the city, further cementing Waymo's position as a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry.
- The autonomous driving industry is set to experience significant growth with Waymo's expansion of its 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service to Dallas, Texas in 2026, as the company positions itself as a leader in the U.S.
- Dallas residents and visitors will have a technology-based transportation option with the introduction of Waymo's autonomous vehicles, making it easier to explore the city's attractions, such as attending a Mavericks game or visiting arts districts.
- Waymo's autonomous driving technology, which uses advanced sensors like lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras, differentiates it from competitors like Tesla, setting a higher safety standard and putting it in a competitive position within the automotive and finance sectors.
