(Credit: Waymo/Uber)
After launching in Austin and Atlanta this year, Waymo's robotaxis have a new destination: Dallas.
The fully autonomous robotaxi service will arrive in Dallas in 2026. Once available, customers will be able to book rides through the Waymo app. While the exact launch date and coverage area are yet to be revealed, the company says its fleet will operate 24/7.
"Dallas offers a vibrant downtown and bustling metro area well suited for our 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service," Waymo says. "Whether catching a Mavericks' game, hitting up the multiple arts districts, or tasting your way through the trendy culinary scene, the Waymo Driver offers a convenient, consistent way for both residents and visitors to get around town."
(Credit: Waymo)Waymo's fleet in Dallas will be maintained and managed by Avis, a subsidiary of the Avis Budget Group. The multi-year partnership will cover end-to-end fleet management services, including infrastructure, vehicle readiness, maintenance, and general depot operations.
Waymo notes that Dallas has the worst traffic fatality rate among the 10 largest US cities. It's looking to contribute to the city's Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce those fatalities.
"The data to date shows Waymo is already making streets safer in the cities where we operate, and we look forward to bringing that safety benefit to Dallas roads," the company says.
Like any other piece of tech, however, Waymo's Jaguar I-PACE AVs are prone to errors. Last year, one of its cars crashed into a wooden utility pole in Arizona, prompting Waymo to issue a recall for 672 vehicles. After that, it had to recall 1,212 cars in May to fix a software glitch that caused them to ram into chains and gates.
However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed a 14-month investigation of 17 Waymo collisions last week.
Waymo may soon face stiff competition from Tesla. The Elon Musk-led company launched its small-fleet robotaxi service in Austin last month and is reportedly planning to expand to Phoenix and San Francisco soon.
For now, though, Waymo leads with presence in five cities—Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Austin—accounting for 250,000 paid trips per week. Next year, the service will expand to Miami and Washington, DC, alongside Dallas.