Waymo to launch Robotaxi Service in Washington in 2026

Waymo said on Tuesday that it would start offering Robotaxi Rides through the Waymo One app in Washington in 2026.

Before he can start the commercial network, the company will have to increase its lobbying game in Capitol, where autonomous vehicle permits still require a person behind the wheel.

Waymo’s news comes when an alphabet -owned company aggressively expands its Robotaxi coverage to strengthen its lead over potential competitors like Amazon’s Zoox and Elon Musk Tesla. Musk said Tesla would be a service to Robotaxi in Austin this summer and California at some point this year.

Waymo already manages a commercial service in Phoenix, Los Angelesthe bay area, and recently Austin, in Partnership with a Uber ride companyS Waymo also intends to launch a Robotaxi service through Uber in Atlanta this year and has already started ferriring employees in fully autonomous vehicles in the city. Miami is next on the Waymo public launch list for 2026, along with DC

In order to increase even more enthusiasm and awareness, Waymo said it plans to start mapping in 10 cities this year, including Las Vegas, San Diego and Monday, Nashville.

The DC message on Waymo comes two months after the company launches a small test fleet on its Jaguar I-Pace Robotaxis in the city, where it moves manually and tests autonomously with a safety driver behind the wheel.

Waymo’s business model depends on the removal of the human driver from the vehicle. The company said it would work with politicians to update the area’s permits to allow autonomous vehicles to drive public roads.