Waymo opens up robotaxi service in Dallas to everyone
TechCrunch
β’Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:31:01 +0000
π° What Happened
Waymo has dropped the waitlist for its robotaxi service in Dallas, opening it to all residents and visitors. Anyone can now download the app and immediately hail a robotaxi, though riders cannot yet go to Dallas Love Field Airport while the company tests there. About 150,000 riders used the Waymo app during the earlier waitlist phase, and the service is part of Waymo's bid to scale self-driving technology across the US, UK and Europe.
π The Backstory
Waymo has had a presence in Dallas since last year, when it began testing on public streets with Avis Budget Group managing its fleet of all-electric autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. It opened the service to the public in February with a waitlist, following its rollout playbook used in Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In May, Waymo paused service in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Atlanta over problems with heavy rain and flooded roads, though services have since resumed.
π― Why It Matters
Opening the Dallas service to everyone marks another milestone in the commercialization and scaling of autonomous ride-hailing, bringing self-driving taxis to a major new market. The expansion tests whether robotaxi services can operate reliably at scale and handle real-world conditions like severe weather. Success in Dallas would strengthen Waymo's competitive position against rivals in the autonomous vehicle market.
Waymo has dropped the waitlist for its robotaxi service in Dallas, opening it to all residents and visitors. Anyone can now download the app and immediately hail a robotaxi, though riders cannot yet go to Dallas Love Field Airport while the company tests there. About 150,000 riders used the Waymo app during the earlier waitlist phase, and the service is part of Waymo's bid to scale self-driving technology across the US, UK and Europe.
Waymo has had a presence in Dallas since last year, when it began testing on public streets with Avis Budget Group managing its fleet of all-electric autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. It opened the service to the public in February with a waitlist, following its rollout playbook used in Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In May, Waymo paused service in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Atlanta over problems with heavy rain and flooded roads, though services have since resumed.
Opening the Dallas service to everyone marks another milestone in the commercialization and scaling of autonomous ride-hailing, bringing self-driving taxis to a major new market. The expansion tests whether robotaxi services can operate reliably at scale and handle real-world conditions like severe weather. Success in Dallas would strengthen Waymo's competitive position against rivals in the autonomous vehicle market.