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Written by Genevieve Bowen on February 11, 2026
Waymo is welcoming the first public riders into its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Miami, with nearly 10,000 users already signed up across a 60-square-mile service area that includes the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell and Coral Gables.
The service launched Jan. 22, giving Miami residents and visitors their first chance to ride in Waymo’s driverless cars. The California-based company, owned by Google parent Alphabet, has been testing its all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in the city since 2019, pausing and resuming operations to fine-tune its technology for Miami’s roads and weather.
Miami becomes Waymo’s sixth U.S. market with public driverless service, joining San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, where the company now provides up to 450,000 paid, autonomous trips per week.
“Miami is a city defined by its energy, myriad of global cultures, and its forward-looking spirit, and Waymo is proud to add to that momentum,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “We’re excited to offer its residents and visitors a safe, reliable, and magical way to move around and look forward to earning their trust with every ride.”
Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez added in a formal statement, “Miami-Dade County welcomes Waymo as it begins driverless vehicle operations in our community. As a county that embraces innovation, we see the potential for emerging mobility technologies to expand transportation options and support a more connected future. We look forward to working collaboratively while ensuring these operations meet our high standards for safety, transparency, and accountability, and that they integrate thoughtfully into our transportation network for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”
Waymo said its technology is designed to handle Miami’s bright sun, sudden tropical downpours, and complex urban streets, with more than 127 million autonomous miles already logged across the U.S., reducing serious injury crashes by 10 times compared with human drivers. The company said it is working with local organizations to ensure the service meets the city’s diverse needs.
“Roadway safety in Miami is quite simply one of the most important issues today,” said Rachel Lamar, area executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). “Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, if deployed responsibly and safely and in collaboration with the right community and city stakeholders. MADD South Florida welcomes Waymo to Miami as another tool in the toolbox to help end impaired driving.”
Virginia Jacko, CEO of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, emphasized accessibility. “As a blind CEO who travels with a guide dog, I know that accessible, bias-free transportation is the difference between dependence and opportunity. Waymo’s technology transforms accessibility into autonomy, giving our community the freedom to travel independently and confidently,” she said.
Riders can download the Waymo app to schedule trips. The company said it plans to expand its service area throughout 2026, including trips to Miami International Airport.
