Alphabet’s self-driving division, Waymo, is expanding its robotaxi service area in Austin, Texas, from 37 square miles to 90 square miles. The move strengthens Waymo’s market lead as competition in the autonomous vehicle space heats up, especially with Tesla actively testing its self-driving fleet in the city.
Waymo’s Austin Expansion: Key Details
- New Coverage Area: 90 square miles, up from 37 square miles
- New Neighbourhoods Added:
- Crestview
- Windsor Park
- Sunset Valley
- Franklin Park
- Fleet Size in Austin: Over 100 vehicles on the Uber platform
- Waymo’s Total U.S. Fleet: Approximately 1,500 vehicles across San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and others
Shweta Shrivastava, Senior Director of Product Management at Waymo, said:
“Austin remains one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and we are doing our part to grow with it.”
Tesla’s Robotaxi Efforts in Austin
Tesla recently conducted a small-scale robotaxi trial with about a dozen Model Y SUVs operating in a limited area of Austin.
Key Challenges Tesla Faces:
- No use of radar or lidar sensors—relies solely on cameras and AI
- Regulatory approval and commercialisation hurdles
While Tesla’s technology is advancing, experts say it still lags behind Waymo in terms of real-world deployment and scale.
Waymo Hits 100 Million Driverless Miles
Another milestone for Waymo: the company announced its vehicles have now logged 100 million miles driven without a human behind the wheel.
- Growth Rate: Waymo doubled its autonomous mileage in just six months
- U.S. Cities Served by Waymo:
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Phoenix
- Austin
- Atlanta
This achievement reinforces Waymo’s position as the frontrunner in the commercial robotaxi market.
Why Austin Is a Hotspot for Robotaxi Competition
Austin’s rapid urban growth and tech-forward demographic make it a prime location for autonomous vehicle trials. Both Waymo and Tesla are betting on the city as a critical proving ground for large-scale robotaxi services.
- Population Growth: One of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
- Regulatory Environment: Texas offers a business-friendly approach to emerging transportation technologies
Conclusion
Waymo’s expansion to 90 square miles in Austin highlights both its technological progress and competitive intent as Tesla and others enter the fray. With 100 million driverless miles now logged, Waymo continues to solidify its leadership in the self-driving car industry, while Tesla works to close the gap with its camera-only approach.
