Waymo has begun offering robotaxi service at San Antonio International Airport, marking its fourth airport deployment and its first in Texas.
The company said its vehicles will drop off passengers at terminal curbs and pick them up from designated ride-share areas within the airport.
Expansion Across Cities And Airports
Waymo currently operates in several Texas cities, including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston. The San Antonio airport launch follows earlier deployments at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, as well as recent expansions into San Francisco International Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport.
The company launched its San Antonio robotaxi service in February through an invitation-based model and is gradually expanding access. Waymo said its waitlist in the city has grown to tens of thousands of users and plans are in place to open the service to the public.
Growth Strategy And Operational Scale
Waymo is pursuing a phased rollout approach as it expands. The company aims to launch services in approximately 20 additional cities this year, including international markets such as Tokyo and London.
Its robotaxi service is currently active in 10 cities and is completing more than 500,000 paid rides per week, roughly double the volume from the same period last year. Waymo also plans to introduce a new vehicle, the Ojai van built with Zeekr, later this year.
Safety Investigations And Challenges
As the company expands, it continues to face regulatory scrutiny. Incidents involving robotaxis passing stopped school buses are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Waymo has issued software updates to address these issues and is working with local officials, particularly in Austin, where several incidents were reported.
Separately, both agencies are investigating a low-speed collision in Santa Monica involving a Waymo vehicle and a child, who sustained minor injuries. The company said the vehicle slowed from 17 miles per hour to 6 miles per hour before impact.
Operational Support Systems
Waymo’s operations include remote assistance teams based in the United States and the Philippines, which help vehicles handle complex or unexpected situations. The company also relies on roadside support staff and coordination with first responders when vehicles require additional intervention.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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