Waymo Launches Robotaxi Service in Nashville, Partners with Lyft

Waymo has launched its robotaxi service in Nashville after months of preparation, making it the 11th city to offer Waymo robotaxi rides. The service has opened to the public, with Waymo’s gradual rollout allowing for a consistent, high-quality experience, according to spokesperson Chris Pappas. Initially covering a 60-square-mile area, Waymo has deployed dozens of vehicles without specifying an exact number. In Nashville, Lyft partners with Waymo, differing from the Uber partnership in other cities. Riders can hail rides directly through the Waymo app initially, with plans to expand to the Lyft app. Lyft will manage fleet services through its subsidiary, Flexdrive. This approach contrasts with Uber’s involvement in other locations, where customers use the Uber app. Waymo manages some operations alone while partnering with other companies like Avis in Dallas and Moove in Phoenix. These partnerships suggest Waymo’s long-term goal of being a technology supplier rather than an operator. Currently, Waymo’s robotaxi services operate in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with expansion likely due to $16 billion in new capital.