Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company, is gearing up to launch a robotaxi service in Miami in 2026. After five years of intermittent testing in the city, Waymo is accelerating its efforts, with plans to begin testing its Jaguar I-PACE autonomous vehicles on Miami streets early next year. The service will be accessible to residents and visitors through the Waymo One app.
Partnering with Moove for Fleet Management
In a novel move, Waymo is partnering with Moove, an African mobility fintech company, to manage its Miami fleet. This collaboration marks a significant shift for Waymo, suggesting a potential future strategy of outsourcing commercial aspects of its robotaxi business. This allows Waymo to focus its resources on refining and advancing its core autonomous driving technologies. Waymo executive Ryan McNamara highlighted this partnership as a way to “provide safe, seamless trips for riders, and scale faster and more cost-effectively over time, with safety continuing to lead the way.”
Miami Embraces Autonomous Driving
Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez welcomed Waymo’s initiative, stating that “fully autonomous driving technology offers a safe and convenient option to the people of Miami.” He further emphasized the alignment of Waymo’s all-electric fleet with the city’s commitment to sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Expanding Reach Amidst Regulatory Scrutiny
Waymo’s expansion into Miami comes at a time of increased regulatory scrutiny surrounding the safety of autonomous vehicles. The company currently provides over 150,000 robotaxi trips per week across Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas.
The autonomous vehicle industry has faced challenges, notably exemplified by General Motors-owned Cruise. Following an incident in San Francisco where a Cruise autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident, the company temporarily suspended testing. This incident underscores the ongoing safety concerns and regulatory hurdles facing the industry.
Waymo’s Commitment to Growth
Despite these challenges, Waymo’s Miami expansion demonstrates its commitment to expanding its operations across the U.S. and solidifying its position in the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market. The move into Miami represents a significant step in Waymo’s strategy for growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving landscape of self-driving technology.
