The rollout of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles is set to reshape transportation in Dallas as the company expands into five cities with fully driverless service.
Waymo plans to deploy its robotaxis in Dallas in the “coming weeks,” marking the company’s first large-scale launch in North Texas.
Waymo stated in a November 18 news release that the vehicles use a “demonstrably safe AI” to maintain passenger safety.
“We compare our driving performance against a proven baseline to validate the performance of the Waymo Driver and identify any unique local characteristics. As needed, we then refine the Waymo Driver’s AI to navigate these local nuances—which are becoming fewer with every city,” continues the company in the news release.
The expansion also includes Miami, Orlando, Houston, and San Antonio, with Dallas officials saying the local rollout carries major significance for the city’s transportation future.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert described the move as a major step toward expanding transportation options across Dallas, claiming it will improve safety and drive city innovation.
“We are excited that Waymo is coming to Dallas. Together, Dallas and Waymo will prioritize safety, while providing new and innovative transportation choices for our community,” Tolbert said in a news release sent to The Dallas Express.
Supporters of the technology argue that autonomous vehicles could help reduce traffic fatalities, particularly crashes linked to impaired driving, which remains a major issue across the Lone Star State.
“Roadway safety for all Texans is quite simply one of the most important issues today. Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, which contribute to the overwhelming majority of serious and fatal crashes in the U.S. MADD believes safely advancing progress toward fully autonomous vehicles will help achieve our mission of eliminating drunk and drugged driving. With each advancement in auto technology, more lives will be spared the horrible physical and emotional impact caused by impaired driving,” said Texas Regional Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Michael Daley, in the release.
Waymo has not provided a specific date for when the rollout will begin in Dallas, though the company stated in the news release that it has already begun in Miami.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the company initially started with a goal to implement autonomous vehicles in Dallas in 2026, with this rollout now expected to be slightly ahead of that timeline.