Waymo Expands U.S. Robotaxi Footprint With Miami Launch Amid Federal Safety Scrutiny

New updates have been reported about Waymo.

Waymo has opened its autonomous ride-hailing service in Miami, extending its U.S. robotaxi network while simultaneously coming under new scrutiny from federal safety regulators. The company will onboard riders from a waitlist of nearly 10,000 local residents on a rolling basis, signaling an intent to scale operations in the market rather than conduct a limited pilot. Miami joins Waymo’s existing operating cities and expands its geographic diversification, an important factor as regulators and municipalities take varied approaches to autonomous vehicle deployment and oversight.

The expansion comes as the National Transportation Safety Board launches an investigation into Waymo after multiple reports of its driverless vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in at least two states, raising questions about system safety, regulatory risk, and potential constraints on growth. The outcome could influence operational requirements, software updates, or even temporary service limitations in affected jurisdictions, with possible knock-on effects for cost structure and the pace of commercialization. For executives and investors, the Miami launch underscores Waymo’s commitment to broadening its revenue-generating footprint, while the NTSB probe highlights the ongoing regulatory and reputational risks inherent in scaling robotaxis on public roads. How Waymo responds—through technical remediation, policy engagement, and public communication—will shape its ability to maintain regulatory goodwill and secure future permits, especially as competitors accelerate their own autonomous driving and robotaxi initiatives in key U.S. markets.