Robotaxis moved closer to the mainstream in 2025 as several major technology companies launched or expanded autonomous ride services across the United States and abroad.

Alphabet-owned Waymo extended its lead in the sector, operating commercial robotaxi services in five U.S. markets and preparing broader expansion. The company said it is now operating, planning to launch, or testing vehicles in 26 markets globally.

Waymo currently provides public rides in Austin, the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Atlanta and Los Angeles. The service surpassed an estimated 450,000 paid rides per week. Waymo said it delivered 14 million trips in 2025 and expects to exceed 20 million total trips since its 2020 launch by year-end.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told employees in November that Waymo is focused on aggressive scaling, while acknowledging that expansion in the physical world takes time. Alphabet does not break out Waymo’s financials, but its “Other Bets” segment reported $344 million in third-quarter revenue, with losses widening year over year.

Amazon-owned Zoox began offering free driverless rides to the public around the Las Vegas Strip and in select San Francisco neighborhoods. Tesla also launched a Robotaxi-branded service in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, though the vehicles still had human drivers or safety supervisors onboard as of mid-December.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly credited Waymo in November for helping establish regulatory pathways for robotaxi services. He made the remarks during Tesla’s annual meeting.

Consumer skepticism remains. A survey conducted by the American Automobile Association in early 2025 found that 66% of U.S. drivers felt fearful of autonomous vehicles, while 25% felt uncertain, mirroring results from 2024.

Waymo announced several milestones during the year. It expanded rider eligibility to teens aged 14 to 17 in Phoenix and began offering freeway trips in select markets. The company also disclosed plans to launch services in multiple U.S. cities in 2026, along with its first overseas market in London.

The company faces operational and community challenges. Waymo issued a software recall after Texas officials reported its vehicles passed stopped school buses. The company said the action reflected its commitment to safety and continuous improvement.