The Robotaxi Revolution Has Arrived
If you thought robotaxis were still a futuristic fantasy, think again. In 2026, self-driving cars are hitting the roads across America at an unprecedented pace, and the autonomous vehicle industry is experiencing its biggest expansion yet. Whether you’re curious about catching your first driverless ride or wondering when robotaxis will arrive in your city, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the robotaxi revolution happening right now.
According to Waymo’s 2025 year-in-review, the company served more than 14 million trips last year alone—more than triple the total from 2024. And 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger, with both Waymo and Tesla racing to expand into dozens of new cities.
Where Can You Ride a Robotaxi Right Now?
As of February 2026, there are seven cities in the United States where you can hail a robotaxi, though the level of autonomy varies by provider. Here’s where driverless taxis are currently available:
- San Francisco, CA — The birthplace of the US robotaxi industry. Waymo offers fully driverless rides via the Waymo One app, while Amazon-backed Zoox also operates its distinctive toaster-shaped vehicles here.
- Los Angeles, CA — Waymo’s fully autonomous service is available through the Waymo One app.
- Phoenix, AZ — Waymo launched its first fully driverless commercial service here back in 2020, making Phoenix the original robotaxi city.
- Austin, TX — Both Waymo (via Uber) and Tesla operate here. Tesla launched its robotaxi service in June 2025, though vehicles still include safety monitors.
- Atlanta, GA — Waymo operates through a partnership with Uber. Lyft also offers rides in autonomous vehicles from startup May Mobility.
- Las Vegas, NV — Zoox offers free, fully driverless robotaxi rides via its app.
- Dallas, TX — Uber launched autonomous taxi service with startup Avride in December 2025.
Which Cities Are Getting Robotaxis in 2026?
The real explosion is happening this year. According to 9to5Google, Waymo has announced expansions to over a dozen new cities in 2026. Here’s the confirmed list of upcoming Waymo markets:
- Miami, FL — Launching 2026
- Dallas, TX — Launching 2026
- Houston, TX — Launching 2026
- San Antonio, TX — Launching 2026
- Orlando, FL — Launching 2026
- San Diego, CA — Launching 2026
- Washington, DC — Launching 2026
- Nashville, TN — Launching 2026 with Lyft
- Denver, CO — Coming soon
- Detroit, MI — Coming soon
Waymo is also making history with its first international expansion to London in 2026, and autonomous testing is already underway in Tokyo, Japan.
Waymo vs. Tesla: Different Approaches to Self-Driving
The two biggest players in the robotaxi space take fundamentally different approaches to autonomous driving technology.
Waymo’s approach involves comprehensively mapping new cities and phasing in autonomous ride-hailing after extensive testing with safety drivers. According to Carrier Management, this methodical process includes detailed 3D mapping of every service area before launch.
Tesla’s approach relies on camera-based AI that learns from millions of miles of real-world driving data. As CleanTechnica reports, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology can now handle coast-to-coast trips, though the company hasn’t yet achieved fully driverless operation without safety monitors in most locations.
Tesla is targeting robotaxi expansion to Miami, Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix in 2026, and plans to begin production of its dedicated Cybercab robotaxi—which has no steering wheel or pedals—in April 2026.
How Much Does a Robotaxi Ride Cost?
Currently, robotaxi fares are generally higher than traditional ride-hailing services. According to data from pricing tracker Obi cited by Business Insider, Waymo rides tend to cost more than human-driven Uber and Lyft rides. However, costs are expected to decrease as fleets grow from hundreds to thousands of vehicles and the technology matures.
In Las Vegas, Zoox currently offers free rides as part of its public testing phase—making it an excellent opportunity to experience a fully autonomous vehicle without any cost.
Are Robotaxis Safe?
Public trust in robotaxis remains a work in progress. According to the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report cited by Business Insider, about 40% of US consumers surveyed said they would “never consider riding in a robotaxi.”
However, autonomous vehicle companies point to their safety records. Waymo’s vehicles are designed to handle challenging situations like power outages—though the December 2025 San Francisco blackout demonstrated some limitations when concentrated requests overwhelmed the system’s remote monitoring capabilities.
Both safety records and public perception could improve significantly as fleets expand and more people experience the technology firsthand.
Uber’s Big Bet on Autonomous Vehicles
While Uber abandoned its own in-house robotaxi program in 2020, the company has gone all-in on partnerships with autonomous vehicle startups. According to Business Insider, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has described driverless taxis as a “trillion-dollar-plus” opportunity.
Key Uber partnerships for 2026 include:
- Volkswagen — Thousands of autonomous minivans hitting LA roads starting in 2026
- Waymo — Continued expansion in Austin and Atlanta
- Avride — Autonomous service launched in Dallas in late 2025
- Lucid and Nuro — A partnership to deploy “20,000 or more” robotaxis globally, debuting in San Francisco in late 2026
What About Traditional Automakers?
Major automakers are also racing to catch up. At CES 2026, Ford announced plans to introduce Level 3 “eyes-off” driving capability by 2028, with a focus on making it available in affordable electric vehicles rather than just luxury models.
“Autonomy shouldn’t be a premium feature,” Ford stated, committing to bring advanced driver assistance to “the vehicles people actually buy.”
GM’s Super Cruise and other automaker systems offer hands-free driving on certain mapped highways, though none have yet achieved the fully driverless operation that Waymo provides.
How to Ride a Robotaxi: A Quick Guide
Ready to experience the future of transportation? Here’s how to get started:
- Waymo — Download the Waymo One app (available on iOS and Android) to hail rides in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo rides are available through the Uber app.
- Tesla — Download the Tesla Robotaxi app to request rides in Austin and San Francisco (note: safety monitors may be present).
- Zoox — Download the Zoox app and join the waitlist for rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
When your ride arrives, Waymo vehicles display your initials on the dome at the top of the car. You’ll unlock the vehicle through the app and can control cabin features like temperature and legroom from your phone.
The Future of Robotaxis: What’s Next?
The autonomous vehicle industry is at an inflection point. As The Guardian notes, “We are on the verge of the global arrival of self-driving cars. Next year, major firms from both the US and China will deploy their robotaxis to metropolises around the world.”
Chinese companies like Baidu’s Apollo Go and WeRide are also expanding internationally, with robotaxis already operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore, and European expansion planned for 2026.
Whether you’re excited or skeptical about autonomous vehicles, one thing is clear: robotaxis are no longer a distant dream. They’re here, they’re expanding rapidly, and 2026 might be the year they arrive in your city.
Key Takeaways
- Robotaxis are currently available in seven US cities, with Waymo leading the market
- Waymo plans to expand to 20+ new cities by the end of 2026
- Tesla is racing to remove safety monitors and achieve fully autonomous operation
- Uber is partnering with multiple companies to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis globally
- Fares are currently higher than traditional ride-hailing but expected to decrease as fleets scale
- International expansion is underway, with London and Tokyo among the first overseas markets
For more technology insights, check out our guide to the future of artificial intelligence and learn about how AI agents are becoming your new coworkers.
