{"id":335460,"date":"2026-07-10T07:55:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/335460\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T07:55:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:55:27","slug":"waymos-infamous-robotaxis-to-soon-be-fully-driverless-in-tampa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/335460\/","title":{"rendered":"Waymo\u2019s infamous robotaxis to soon be fully driverless in Tampa"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ACredit: Chiociolla\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

After months of testing its controversial robotaxis on Tampa\u2019s streets, Waymo says they\u2019ll be operating soon without a human safety driver.<\/p>\n

Waymo first began testing its vehicles in Tampa in December 2025<\/a>. Since then, residents may have seen the distinct, camera-covered, white SUVs driving around with a Waymo employee in the front seat for the technology to be tested safely.<\/p>\n

That will soon change. \u201cAutonomous mode activated in four new cities!\u201d The company posted on social media<\/a> Wednesday. \u201cStarting today you\u2019ll see our vehicles with no humans at the wheel in Las Vegas with Denver, San Diego, and Tampa to follow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The company did not announce a specific launch date for the 24\/7 taxi service in Tampa, only saying that driverless vehicles will be operating \u201csoon,\u201d and that riders can download the Waymo app for updates.<\/p>\n

Waymo, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, has rapidly expanded its self-driving taxi service across the country\u2019s biggest cities this year, most recently Miami, Orlando and Nashville.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Throughout its expansion, the company has faced plenty of controversy<\/a> over malfunctions and threats to the job market.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In San Francisco on July 4, many Waymo vehicles became trapped in heavy traffic, some for so long that they ran out of battery, requiring tow trucks to come and pick them up. In separate incidents the same night, one unoccupied Waymo caught on fire after driving over a firework, while another robotaxi with passengers drove through an exploding firework in the street. No injuries were reported, and the company said it is investigating the incidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Protesters destroyed around five Waymos in the Los Angeles anti-ICE protests last year, vandalizing and setting them on fire.<\/p>\n

Waymo has also faced heavy pushback from drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft as well as from labor advocates like the Transport Workers Union, which have called out Waymo for threatening members\u2019 jobs.<\/p>\n

Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent Stories<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Tampa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tIncluding Feeble Little Horse, Dunedin Brewery\u2019s 30th anniversary, J. Cole and more.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Florida\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCity Girls\u2019 Caresha Romeka Brownlee opens the show.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Waymo\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTampa follows Las Vegas, Denver and San Diego in the company\u2019s national expansion of autonomous rideshares.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in July 09 \u2013 15, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t