Waymo has officially launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in its 15th U.S. city – Las Vegas.
The Alphabet-owned company began offering paid rides to the public on Monday. Riders are being added on a rolling basis, with Waymo initially deploying a few dozen vehicles before expanding the fleet over time.
The launch also marks the public debut of Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system in Las Vegas. Rides will be provided using the Ojai, a purpose-built robotaxi based on a vehicle platform from Chinese automaker Zeekr.
“Cruising down Las Vegas Boulevard in a Waymo will make anyone feel like a high roller. Our Ojai vehicle offers a spacious cabin, large screens and a load of customizations that help riders arrive safe and comfortable, throughout our nearly 24-mile service area,” Waymo said in a statement.
The service area will give riders access to parts of Las Vegas Boulevard along with neighbourhoods and major destinations around the city. Waymo has not yet provided full details on the boundaries of the initial operating area or whether highway driving will be available from launch.
Las Vegas is becoming an increasingly competitive testing ground for autonomous ride-hailing. Amazon-owned Zoox launched paid public rides in the city earlier this month. Tesla has also been approved to deploy up to 5,000 Robotaxis in the city.
Waymo, meanwhile, has been accelerating its expansion throughout 2026. The company recently announced plans for Denver, San Diego and Tampa, adding to established operations in markets including California, Arizona, Texas and Florida.
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