Waymo to roll out driverless rideshare services in Austin this year

After beginning initial rider testing in Austin earlier this month, Waymo announced Wednesday plans to roll out public, driverless rideshare services in the Texas capital later this year.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After beginning initial rider testing in Austin earlier this month, Waymo announced Wednesday plans to roll out public, driverless rideshare services in the Texas capital later this year.

Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo's co-CEO, announced the update during an autonomous vehicle panel at the 2024 South by Southwest Conference and Festivals Wednesday.

Currently, Waymo is in the testing phase of riders-only autonomous vehicle trips in a portion of Austin. The company's current coverage scope covers 43 miles of the city, with coverage areas including downtown, Barton Hills, Riverside, east Austin and Hyde Park.

“Once an unimaginable future, autonomous driving is now a real-world way of getting around for tens of thousands of people each week,” Mawakana said Wednesday. “After achieving key milestones in each city, we're so excited to bring the safety, comfort and delight of our Waymo One service to more people in Los Angeles and Austin this year.”

Elsewhere in company operations, Waymo also confirmed fully autonomous ride-hailing services will be available to some community members in Los Angeles beginning Thursday. That coverage area will incorporate a 63-square-mile region from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles.