Melissa Donovan
Central Florida residents and visitors will soon have access to autonomous ride-hailing as Waymo prepares to roll out its self-driving service in Orlando. The company, known as the first to offer rider-only autonomous trips, announced a major expansion into five new U.S. cities: Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando.
Operations began this week in Miami, with the remaining cities — including Orlando — slated to come online in the coming weeks. Waymo says service will initially launch in test mode before opening to riders next year.
The move marks a significant step forward for autonomous transportation in Central Florida, positioning Orlando among a growing network of cities participating in the company’s nationwide rollout.
Advanced AI Technology Drives Expansion
Waymo’s latest expansion is powered by what the company describes as a “generalizable” autonomous driving system, enhanced by extensive real-world testing and advanced simulation. The Waymo Driver — the company’s AI-powered technology — is designed to adapt to new cities by comparing performance against established safety benchmarks and refining its behavior to local road conditions.
According to Waymo, this continuous improvement process has contributed to high safety performance, including involvement “in 11 times fewer serious injury collisions compared to human drivers.”
Scaling Autonomous Fleets With Community Input
Beyond technology, Waymo emphasizes that building public trust is central to its deployment strategy. Company representatives say they work closely with policymakers, transportation officials, and local organizations to explain how the vehicles operate and to better understand community mobility needs.
Waymo also notes that it has developed a detailed operational playbook to help partners manage autonomous fleets at scale, with the goal of creating new economic opportunities while expanding access to its transportation services.
Orlando Joins Growing List of U.S. Test Markets
With Orlando’s selection, Central Florida joins several major markets already offering Waymo’s autonomous rides. The company currently operates in:
Atlanta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Los Angeles, California
Phoenix, Arizona
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Additional future markets on Waymo’s roadmap include:
Denver, Colorado
Detroit, Michigan
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nashville, Tennessee
San Diego, California
Washington, D.C.
London, U.K.
A New Era for Transportation in Central Florida
For a region experiencing rapid growth and a rising demand for mobility solutions, Waymo’s arrival could signal a new phase in local transportation innovation. The company says its mission is to ensure that safety, reliability, and community engagement guide every step of its expansion.
As autonomous vehicles prepare to take to Orlando’s streets, residents may soon see a transformative shift in how people move around the city. Waymo expects to welcome its first Orlando riders next year.
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