Robotaxis are real—welcome to the future.
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A robotaxi is an autonomous car that’s operated on behalf of a rideshare company. Currently, the US’s largest and most functional robotaxi network is run by Waymo—although other robotaxi projects are in the works by companies like Ford and, in China, Baidu.
Waymo’s robotaxis first launched in 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Since then, they’ve spread to four other cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. While there have been a few road traffic incidents, such as passing a stopped school bus in Atlanta and colliding with a delivery robot in Los Angeles, most have been minor.
Key word: most.
Recently, Waymo got into hot water in San Francisco after a robotaxi hit and killed a beloved local cat named KitKat. Since then, government officials have begun officially lobbying to give Waymo the boot.
That being said, despite ongoing incidents and the tragic loss of KitKat, it looks like Waymo will continue to expand its robotaxi reach—meaning travelers like you could end up in a driverless taxi sooner than you think.
Where are Waymo’s robotaxis active? And how can you book one?
Currently, Waymo is live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. In 2026, Waymo will launch in Las Vegas, San Diego, and Detroit. The company is also currently finalizing testing its robotaxis in Washington, DC, Miami, Dallas, and London. There are also reports that Brooklyn and Manhattan could be next to join the network.
To book a Waymo robotaxi, download the Waymo app—it works very similarly to other rideshare apps. You can also book a Waymo ride with Uber in select cities.
Just put in your location and destination, then wait for the car to arrive. All vehicles have roof-mounted servers that will show a color and/or number that is assigned for your pickup.
Use the app to unlock the car, confirm it’s your ride, and press the ‘start ride’ button to begin your journey. In Phoenix and Austin, you can also book a Waymo ride through the Uber app.
That being said, Waymo robotaxis can only take you to areas that have been mapped for its driving programs. In other words, if you need a ride to a far-out suburb that’s technically outside of Atlanta or Phoenix, Waymo probably can’t take you there. For now, at least.
Is there robotaxi etiquette that you should know about?
Waymo has a few rules that you should know, along with a few key features:
- Waymo riders must be over 18 years of age, except in Phoenix, where special programs allow riders aged 14 – 17 to book a ride
- Pets are not allowed aside for service animals
- No touching the wheel, center console buttons, shifters, etc.
- You must buckle up at all times
- No smoking or vaping
- No weapons
- The app allows you to lock the doors and call for help in case of an emergency
- Keep the vehicle clean, and make a report if it isn’t
