Waymo, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology based in Silicon Valley, is set to begin offering self-driving ride-hailing services in Las Vegas next year. This marks the latest expansion of Waymo’s operations, which already provide hundreds of thousands of autonomous rides weekly in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin.
The company has been closely collaborating with local officials in preparation for its Southern Nevada launch. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley highlighted the city’s legacy of embracing innovation and believes Waymo’s arrival will offer a proven, safe transportation alternative for both residents and the millions of visitors to the city. She emphasized that the technology will be adopted responsibly, reinforcing Las Vegas’s position as a leader in urban mobility.
Community organizations have also expressed support for Waymo’s entry into Las Vegas. Celeste Brooks of Best Buddies in Nevada welcomed the move, noting that accessible transportation is vital for fostering independence and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said Waymo’s presence will help grow programs and create more opportunities for friendship, employment, and leadership development.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Nevada also endorsed the expansion. Regional executive director Flor Bernal stated that autonomous vehicles provide an important tool for preventing impaired driving and improving roadway safety. MADD has partnered with Waymo in the past and sees the service as a valuable addition to efforts to protect the community.
Waymo’s arrival comes as competition in the autonomous ride-hailing space intensifies in Las Vegas. Zoox has recently begun offering commercial robotaxi rides in its custom-designed, four-seater pods that operate without steering wheels or pedals. Additionally, Elon Musk’s Tesla is planning its own robotaxi service in Southern Nevada, and the Boring Company has been approved for limited above-ground passenger rides as part of its Vegas Loop system, where self-driving operation testing is currently underway.
The introduction of Waymo and other autonomous ride-hailing services is expected to further position Las Vegas as a hub for transportation innovation, offering safer, more inclusive, and technologically advanced mobility options for residents and visitors alike.