Waymo to Deploy Self-Driving Robotaxi Service in Dallas by 2026
Waymo Expands Autonomous Mobility to Dallas with Avis Partnership
Waymo, the self-driving technology company, has announced its plans to bring its fully driverless robotaxi service to Dallas in 2026. In a significant collaboration, Waymo has partnered with Avis Budget Group to launch the service in Dallas, marking a key step for Avis as it transitions from a traditional rental car business to a leading provider of fleet management and mobility solutions.
The partnership signifies Avis’s role as Waymo’s exclusive fleet management partner in Dallas. Avis will handle vehicle readiness, maintenance, infrastructure, and depot operations, while Waymo provides the autonomous driving technology and ride-hailing service via the Waymo app. This collaboration will see Avis managing Waymo’s self-driving Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles in Dallas.
The Dallas launch aims to provide more residents and visitors with a stress-free way to get around the city. Rides can be hailed through the Waymo app for 24/7 driverless trips in select markets. The focus will be on Waymo's proprietary system, without integration with Uber’s ride-hailing platform.
According to Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO, the aim is to make scaled autonomous mobility a reality for the people of Dallas and expand to additional cities in the near future. The company's mission is to provide safer, more reliable transportation options.
Waymo currently operates in five other U.S. cities — San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta — serving over 250,000 paid trips weekly. Dallas joins Miami and Washington, D.C., as confirmed cities for Waymo’s planned 2026 expansions. The partnership between Waymo and Avis may extend to further cities in the near future, signaling broader geographic growth for Waymo's driverless robotaxi service.
Waymo has logged over 100 million autonomous miles on public roads and its network of test locations includes more than 10 cities, such as New York and Philadelphia. The company's expansion to Dallas will offer a new era of safe and seamless transportation in the city.
Avis CEO, Brian Choi, described the agreement as a "pivotal milestone" in the company's journey towards becoming a leading provider of fleet management and mobility solutions. This collaboration reflects a significant evolution in robotaxi fleet management as traditional operators like Avis become key infrastructure providers in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem.
With the Dallas launch, Waymo deviates from its previous expansions by partnering with Avis Budget Group for its operations. The self-driving Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles are currently undergoing testing on the streets of downtown Dallas. The Dallas operations will be managed by Avis Budget Group, contributing to Waymo's scaling efforts in autonomous mobility.
The partnership between Waymo and Avis Budget Group extends to further cities in the near future, signaling broader geographic growth for Waymo's driverless robotaxi service in the transportation industry. In the finance sector, Waymo's revenue is expected to surge with the integration of autonomous mobility solutions in cities like Dallas, potentially revolutionizing the automotive industry.
