Magic city goes driverless: Waymo officially launches Robotaxi service in Miami

Alphabet’s autonomous fleet tackles Miami's "chaotic" traffic with 60-square-mile launch zone and 10,000 initial riders.

The future of transportation has officially arrived in South Florida. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Waymo launched its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Miami, marking the company’s sixth major U.S. city. Despite Miami’s reputation for aggressive drivers and sudden tropical downpours, Waymo’s "Driver" technology is now accepting public passengers across a significant portion of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.

The launch follows months of "mapping" and employee-only testing, with the company now confident its AI can handle the unique "cultural quirks" of Miami's roadways.

Where can you ride?

The initial service area covers 60 square miles, focusing on the high-density urban core and cultural hubs. Notably, the service does not yet cross the causeways to Miami Beach, though expansion is expected quickly.

The service area includes Wynwood, the Design District, Brickell, Little Havana, and Coral Gables.

Waymo confirmed that service to Miami International Airport (MIA) is "coming soon," which would make it the third major airport in the Waymo network after Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Jose Mineta.

Weather readiness

Waymo highlighted that its sensor suite (LiDAR, Radar, and Cameras) has been specifically calibrated to maintain "superhuman" visibility during Florida's notorious afternoon "white-out" rainstorms.

The 'rolling' invite list

If you’re in Miami, you can’t just hail a Waymo immediately unless you’re on the "Select" list.

Nearly 10,000 residents signed up for the service before launch. Waymo is inviting these users in waves to ensure the fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACEs isn't overwhelmed during the first few weeks of operation.

Pricing

Rides are priced competitively with Uber and Lyft, with the added benefit of zero tipping required since there is no human driver.

The 2026 expansion roadmap

Miami is just the first domino to fall in what Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana describes as the company's "biggest year of growth yet."

The company is already testing in Washington, D.C., with a public launch set for mid 2026. They have also started mapping out the routes in Orlando and London, UK, which will be their first international launch.

Safety vs. chaos

The Miami launch is a significant test of Waymo’s claim that its system is 10 times safer than a human driver. Miami is consistently ranked as one of the most congested and dangerous cities for pedestrians in the U.S.

"Roadway safety in Miami is one of the most important issues today," said Rachel Lamar, Executive Director of MADD South Florida. "Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths caused by impaired driving."

By successfully navigating Miami’s "organised chaos," Waymo hopes to prove that its Level 4 autonomy is no longer an "experiment," but a mature utility ready for any city in the world.