Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to D.C. next year

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, plans to expand its ride-hailing service, Waymo One, to Washington, D.C. in 2026, the company announced Tuesday. While the nation’s capital currently prohibits fully autonomous operations, a Waymo spokesperson said the company will work closely with local policymakers over the coming year to help formalize necessary regulations. This marks the first time Waymo is bringing its commercial ride-hailing service to a city that experiences regular snowfall. Waymo vehicles don’t yet operate in winter weather, though the company has conducted cold-weather testing in upstate New York, Michigan, and parts of California. As a result, the service would temporarily pause for public riders in D.C. during snow or icy conditions—at least until winter capabilities are added to the fleet. Waymo began as a stealth project at Google nearly 15 years ago, and has since grown into a leading player in self-driving technology. Co-led by Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov, the company reached full commercial deployment in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles last year. Waymo One completed more than 4 million rides in 2024, clinching more than 200,000 paid passenger trips each week. (The company also topped Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025.) Waymo vehicles briefly appeared on D.C. streets last year as part of its cross-country testing program and returned this January. More vehicles—equipped with safety operators behind the wheel—are set to arrive in the coming weeks. “We’re excited to bring the comfort, consistency, and safety of Waymo One to Washingtonians, those who work and play in the city every day, and the millions of people from around the world who travel to the District every year,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a prepared statement.

Mar 25, 2025 - 12:17

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to D.C. next year

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, plans to expand its ride-hailing service, Waymo One, to Washington, D.C. in 2026, the company announced Tuesday.

While the nation’s capital currently prohibits fully autonomous operations, a Waymo spokesperson said the company will work closely with local policymakers over the coming year to help formalize necessary regulations.

This marks the first time Waymo is bringing its commercial ride-hailing service to a city that experiences regular snowfall. Waymo vehicles don’t yet operate in winter weather, though the company has conducted cold-weather testing in upstate New York, Michigan, and parts of California. As a result, the service would temporarily pause for public riders in D.C. during snow or icy conditions—at least until winter capabilities are added to the fleet.

Waymo began as a stealth project at Google nearly 15 years ago, and has since grown into a leading player in self-driving technology. Co-led by Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov, the company reached full commercial deployment in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles last year. Waymo One completed more than 4 million rides in 2024, clinching more than 200,000 paid passenger trips each week. (The company also topped Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025.)

Waymo vehicles briefly appeared on D.C. streets last year as part of its cross-country testing program and returned this January. More vehicles—equipped with safety operators behind the wheel—are set to arrive in the coming weeks.

“We’re excited to bring the comfort, consistency, and safety of Waymo One to Washingtonians, those who work and play in the city every day, and the millions of people from around the world who travel to the District every year,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a prepared statement.