Waymo Opens Up Airport Service in San Francisco. Everything to Know About the Robotaxi

Core Insights - Waymo is expanding its fully autonomous ride-hailing services, recently launching rides to San Francisco International Airport and planning to serve additional airport locations in the future [1][2] - The company operates in multiple cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, with plans for further expansion [3][4] - Waymo is increasing its fleet size and capabilities, opening a new manufacturing facility and integrating sixth-generation self-driving technology into new vehicles [5][6] Expansion and Operations - Waymo has opened fully autonomous rides to the public in various cities, including Phoenix and San Francisco, with plans to expand to more locations [3][15] - The company is also entering new markets, such as Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and San Diego, with manual driving operations already underway [25][30][32] - Future expansions include cities like Nashville, Denver, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, with plans to launch public rides in 2026 [36][40][41] Technology and Safety - Waymo has driven over 127 million fully autonomous miles, reporting significantly fewer crashes compared to human drivers, with an 88% reduction in serious injury crashes [7][9] - The company is developing its sixth-generation self-driving technology, which aims to enhance vehicle performance in extreme weather conditions [52] - Partnerships with Hyundai and Toyota are set to integrate advanced technology into new electric vehicles, expanding the Waymo One fleet [6][53] Partnerships and Collaborations - Waymo is collaborating with Uber for ride-hailing services in cities like Austin and Atlanta, allowing users to summon Waymo vehicles through the Uber app [20][23] - The company is also working with Avis Budget Group to manage its fleet in Dallas, enhancing operational efficiency [41] - In Tokyo, Waymo is partnering with local taxi services to adapt its technology to the unique driving conditions of the city [50][51]