Waymo and Zoox expand autonomous taxi services in US

Autonomous vehicle companies Waymo and Zoox are expanding their robotaxi operations across several United States cities.

Waymo has begun accepting passengers in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, bringing its total service coverage to 14 American cities. Waymo’s vehicles operate entirely without human drivers, utilizing cameras, radar, and laser sensors to navigate. The company is also planning international expansion, with testing scheduled for Munich, Germany, in August 2026.

Zoox, owned by Amazon, is initiating testing in Houston and San Diego. Unlike traditional vehicles, Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxis lack steering wheels and pedals, featuring a carriage-style seating arrangement where passengers face one another. While Zoox has previously offered free services in cities like Las Vegas and San Francisco, it transitioned to a paid model in Las Vegas in August 2026. The new testing phases in Houston and San Diego will initially include safety personnel to map routes and evaluate performance in various weather and traffic conditions.