Waymo Robotaxi Weekly Rides Nearly Double to 450,000, Leaked Data Shows

Waymo is now completing 450,000 robotaxi rides every week. This new figure comes from a leaked investor letter obtained by CNBC. The Alphabet-owned company has nearly doubled its weekly ridership in just six months.

This explosive growth signals a major acceleration for the self-driving industry. The data offers a rare glimpse into the operational scale of the leading robotaxi service. Official ride numbers had not been updated since this spring.

Leaked Investor Letter Reveals Staggering Growth

The leaked letter came from Tiger Global Management. It was written to update investors on the firm’s portfolio performance. The letter highlighted Waymo as a key investment driving significant gains.

According to the report, Tiger Global’s current venture fund has seen strong returns. Major investments in firms like OpenAI, Databricks, and Waymo contributed heavily. The disclosure of Waymo’s specific ride volume was included to showcase this success. A Waymo spokesperson declined to comment on the leaked figures when contacted.

The previous official number was 250,000 weekly rides. That figure was announced roughly six months ago. The jump to 450,000 represents massive growth in a short timeframe. This surge coincides with Waymo’s aggressive expansion into new urban markets.

Aggressive Expansion Fuels Ride Volume Surge

Waymo currently operates commercial robotaxi services in five major U.S. cities. These include Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. Its network is the largest fully driverless ride-hailing service in the world.

The company is not slowing down. Waymo has announced plans to launch in twelve additional cities next year. Target locations for 2026 include Dallas, Denver, Houston, Nashville, and San Diego. This planned rollout will likely push weekly ride numbers even higher.

The growth validates years of investment in autonomous vehicle technology. It also builds a significant data advantage over competitors. Each ride provides invaluable information to refine the self-driving system further. According to Reuters, the industry is watching this scaling phase closely.

Waymo robotaxi weekly rides have become a key metric for gauging the technology’s real-world adoption. The latest figures suggest autonomous vehicles are transitioning from testing to a scalable service. The race to build a profitable robotaxi business is now fully underway.

Dropping this nugget your way

How many cities does Waymo currently operate in?

Waymo provides commercial robotaxi service in five U.S. cities. These are Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. It is the largest fully driverless ride-hailing network.

What was Waymo’s previous weekly ride count?

Six months ago, Waymo reported it was completing 250,000 rides per week. The new leaked figure of 450,000 shows a dramatic 80% increase. The company had stopped providing specific numbers publicly.

Where is Waymo planning to expand next?

Waymo aims to launch in twelve new cities in 2026. Confirmed locations include Dallas, Denver, Houston, and Nashville. San Diego is also on the list for the coming year.

Who leaked the new ride-hailing data?

The information came from a leaked investor letter. The letter was from the venture firm Tiger Global Management. Financial news outlet CNBC first reported on its contents.

Why are these ride numbers significant?

The numbers demonstrate real consumer adoption of autonomous vehicles. They show the service is scaling rapidly beyond a testing phase. High ride volume is crucial for proving the business model works.

Is Waymo’s service fully driverless?

Yes, Waymo operates fully driverless vehicles in its commercial service areas. There is no safety driver behind the wheel. The company uses its proprietary self-driving technology.