Waymo and Tesla push driverless robotaxi trials in the United States

Alphabet's Waymo reported more than 500,000 fully autonomous rides per week in its latest earnings call, a figure that has doubled within a year. The service now operates in 11 major U.S. cities, with six additional cities added in 2026, underscoring its rapid expansion as a leading mass‑adopted autonomous platform.

Tesla has begun road‑testing a production‑spec Cybercab in Austin, Texas, that omits a steering wheel and pedals. A safety monitor remains seated in the passenger seat during these trials. Recent regulator proposals could allow such vehicles to operate without brake pedals if approved later this year, removing a key regulatory hurdle for the robotaxi concept.