Waymo expands robotaxi testing to four more US cities

Waymo has started trials of its robotaxi service in Philadelphia and will soon begin supervised testing in Baltimore, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. Initial runs include human safety monitors in the vehicle as the company collects data and refines systems before rolling out fully driverless operation.

The tests are part of a broader, staged expansion: Waymo currently accepts passengers in cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, and has announced further launches such as San Diego, Las Vegas and Detroit. After supervised testing, the company plans to transition to fully autonomous service similar to deployments it has already performed in Miami.

Regional and international plans

• New US trials: Philadelphia (already underway with safety monitors), Baltimore, St. Louis and Pittsburgh (manual testing to begin).
• Ongoing US footprint: passenger service in several major metros with more launches planned across Texas and Florida in 2026.
• International expansion: Waymo will partner with Moove to pilot a robotaxi service in London next year, starting a regulatory pathway toward wider UK testing.

Waymo’s expansion strategy mixes careful supervised trials with incremental public launches. In New York, for example, the company previously secured a limited permit to test AVs in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn — a notable regulatory milestone even if full driverless service remains restricted by state law.

Why the staged approach matters

Staged rollouts let Waymo gather operational data across varied urban environments and adjust to local traffic patterns, weather and regulatory requirements. Supervisory rides with human monitors help to validate safety measures and build the datasets needed before removing drivers.

For riders, the shift toward fully driverless taxis promises broader access and potentially lower costs, but it also raises questions about safety standards, regulation and public acceptance. Cities and states will play a key role in governing how and when driverless services can operate without onboard humans.

What to watch next

• Reports on test performance and any incidents or regulatory responses in the newly added cities.
• Announcements on timelines for converting supervised tests to fully driverless operations in each market.
• Progress of Waymo’s London partnership and how UK pilot regulations evolve to permit robotaxi trials.

Waymo’s incremental expansion highlights both the technical progress in autonomous driving and the complex regulatory patchwork companies must navigate. As more cities see trials, expect local debate over safety, jobs and urban mobility to intensify.

Discussion: Would you try a supervised robotaxi ride in your city, or wait until services are fully driverless and widely tested? What would convince you to hop in?