Waymo Launches Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas
Waymo has launched its robotaxi service to the public in Las Vegas following regulatory approval from Nevada transportation authorities. The Alphabet-owned company is initially deploying dozens of Ojai minivan robotaxis, serving a specific area that includes parts of the Strip and Boulder Junction. Access for the general public requires an invitation code at this stage, with full availability expected within one to two months after launch. This marks Waymo's 15th market expansion in the U.S., joining cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The company is competing against Tesla, Zoox, Motional, and Uber for dominance in autonomous vehicle services. Nevada has approved up to 8,000 robotaxis across three companies—Waymo (1,000), Tesla (5,000 via partnerships), and Uber/Motional/Zoox (1,000)—though actual deployment may fall short of these numbers. Despite the regulatory green light, Waymo's current fleet exceeds 4,000 robotaxis across multiple cities. The company is scaling its operations aggressively as it faces increasing competition in both domestic and international markets.
