Waymo is expanding its fully driverless ride-hailing service to anyone in Orlando and Miami — no waitlist, no special access needed. If you're in those cities, you can download the app and hail a self-driving car right now.
What Changed?
Previously, Waymo operated in a limited "early rider" program where only pre-approved users could access the service. Now, the company has opened it up to the general public in both markets, meaning anyone with the Waymo app can request a ride.
Orlando and Miami join San Francisco and Phoenix as cities where Waymo's robotaxis operate without a safety driver in the front seat.
Why Orlando and Miami?
Both cities have dense tourist populations and sprawling suburban areas where driving is often frustrating. Waymo sees demand for reliable, tech-forward transportation options. The company has been mapping these cities extensively, and the warm climates also happen to be ideal for testing.
What Riders Are Saying
👍 The experience is smooth: Riders consistently describe the rides as calm, predictable, and surprisingly natural. No road rage, no tailgating, no aggressive lane changes. Waymo drives defensively, which some say makes it actually safer than a human driver.
👎 It's not perfect yet: The service areas are still limited, and during peak hours you might wait longer than a traditional Uber. Some riders report the cars get confused when construction zones pop up unexpectedly.
What This Means for the Industry
Waymo's expansion to open-to-all in two more cities is a signal that the company is confident enough in its autonomous driving tech to scale. If the Miami and Orlando rollouts go smoothly, expect more cities to follow.
← Back to Home