Waymo's Robotaxi Rides Soar to 450,000 Weekly, Doubling in Just Weeks

Waymo, the self-driving subsidiary of Alphabet, has seen a significant surge in its robotaxi rides, with the company now providing 450,000 rides per week, according to a leaked letter from Tiger Global Management to its investors. This number represents a nearly doubling of the 250,000 rides per week disclosed by Waymo six months ago, and it is expected to continue growing as the company expands its service areas. The leaked letter, which was first reported by CNBC, was an appeal for investment into Tiger Global's next venture capital fund and highlighted the gains made by its current fund, which includes investments in companies like OpenAI, Databricks, and Waymo. The letter provided a more detailed look at Waymo's growth, which has been a major focus for the company as it continues to roll out its commercial robotaxi service in various cities across the United States. Waymo's robotaxi service is currently available in five cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The company has announced plans to expand its service to 12 additional cities in 2026, including Dallas, Denver, Houston, Nashville, and San Diego. This expansion is expected to further increase the number of robotaxi rides provided by Waymo. The growth of Waymo's robotaxi service is significant not only for the company itself but also for the broader autonomous vehicle industry. As more people become comfortable with the idea of riding in self-driving cars, it is likely to pave the way for wider adoption of autonomous technology in the future. Waymo's spokesperson declined to comment on the leaked letter, but the company's aggressive rollout strategy is expected to continue in the coming years. The expansion of its service areas and the increase in robotaxi rides are likely to be major factors in the growth of the autonomous vehicle industry as a whole. The leaked letter from Tiger Global Management provides a glimpse into the financial performance of Waymo, which has been a major focus for the company as it continues to grow and expand its services. The letter highlights the gains made by Tiger Global's current fund, which includes investments in companies like OpenAI, Databricks, and Waymo. The success of these investments is likely to be a major factor in the growth of Waymo's robotaxi service in the coming years. As Waymo continues to expand its service areas and increase the number of robotaxi rides, it is likely to be a major player in the autonomous vehicle industry for years to come. The growth of the company's robotaxi service is a significant development in the industry, and it is expected to have a major impact on the way people travel in the future.