Waymo Launches Robotaxi Service in Miami

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As promised a couple months ago, Waymo has launched robotaxi service in Miami, Florida. (Thanks to a reader for pointing this out to me under my article about Tesla’s robotaxi coverage reaching 50% of the US population … or not.)

After doing its usual process of testing, testing, and more testing, Waymo has launched robotaxi service for the public in Florida’s second largest city. The company also announced that 10,000 residents have already signed up for the service.

For the time being, the coverage area is 60 square miles in size. “The territory includes Miami’s most iconic neighborhoods—from the Design District and Wynwood to Brickell and Coral Gables—with plans to expand to Miami International Airport soon,” the company writes.

Expect several more announcements like this in other cities this year. One month ago, we reported on Waymo reaching 20 million fully driverless passenger trips. How long until they get to 30 million, or 40 million? Could the company’s cumulative trips grow 50% or even double within the year? We also wrote about Waymo’s “Safety Hub,” which features data from 127 million fully autonomous miles. How long until it reaches 200 million? “With over 127 million fully autonomous miles, we have achieved a ten-fold reduction in serious injury crashes compared to human drivers in the areas where we operate, and we are excited to bring these safety benefits to the city of Miami,” the company notes. “Our technology is built to handle the city’s unique environment, from the bright midday sun to sudden tropical downpours, ensuring a reliable service in diverse weather conditions.” That sounds like a dig at Tesla’s limited sensor lineup, but more on that later.

“We believe that the best way to serve a city is to listen to the people who live there. That’s why we’re working closely with local organizations to ensure our service meets the diverse needs of Miami’s residents.” Diversity! Oh my gosh, Waymo dared to use one of the forbidden words. Hopefully DeSantis and Trump are too busy to notice.

Of course, there were a handful of positive quotes included with the announcement. Here are a few of them:

Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo: “Miami is a city defined by its energy, myriad of global cultures, and its forward-looking spirit, and Waymo is proud to add to that momentum. We’re excited to offer its residents and visitors a safe, reliable, and magical way to move around and look forward to earning their trust with every ride.”

Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez: “Miami-Dade County welcomes Waymo as it begins driverless vehicle operations in our community. As a county that embraces innovation, we see the potential for emerging mobility technologies to expand transportation options and support a more connected future. We look forward to working collaboratively while ensuring these operations meet our high standards for safety, transparency, and accountability, and that they integrate thoughtfully into our transportation network for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”

Rachel Lamar, Area Executive Director of MADD: “Roadway safety in Miami is quite simply one of the most important issues today. Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, if deployed responsibly and safely and in collaboration with the right community and city stakeholders. MADD South Florida welcomes Waymo to Miami as another tool in the toolbox to help end impaired driving.”

What’s not to love?