# Waymo to launch driverless rides in four cities as robotaxi race intensifies

_Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM EDT · Robotics · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

Waymo plans to launch driverless rides in four additional cities as competition in the robotaxi sector intensifies, according to a report from InsideEVs. The Alphabet subsidiary is expanding to over a dozen cities this year, the report said, positioning it far ahead of competitors in deployment scale. The developments come amid a flurry of industry activity. Tesla is piloting its own driverless service and has revealed specifications for its Cybercab through Environmental Protection Agency filings. Mobileye announced plans to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service next year. Uber expanded its partnership with Nuro and Lucid to bring robotaxi service to Houston next year and signed a memorandum of understanding with Stellantis and Wayve to develop and deploy robotaxis globally. Waymo recently recalled all its fifth-generation autonomous vehicles over concerns they could drive into freeway lanes closed for construction, an issue the report described as an embarrassing setback for the company. Analysts cited in the report suggested Uber has won the platform race by aggregating partnerships across the industry, while vertically integrated companies like Tesla may drive down costs long-term.

## Sources

- [insideevs.com](https://insideevs.com/features/799180/robotaxi-market-update-summer-2026/)

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Retrieved: 2026-07-10T03:16:02.053Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)