Exhibitor login
Techcrunch 22 September 2026

Waymo expands robotaxi service to teenagers

Waymo expands robotaxi service to teenagers

Waymo has announced that it is expanding its robotaxi service to teenagers aged 13 to 17 in Nashville. This step marks the second city where Waymo offers such rides to minors, and it is a significant expansion of their existing services. Offering rides to this demographic aligns with the company's broader strategy to enhance the accessibility of autonomous transportation services.

The decision to expand to this demographic group comes amid increasing demand for flexible mobility solutions for young people, who may not yet have a driver's license but are in need of transportation. By providing these services, Waymo hopes not only to improve the user experience but also to positively influence the perception of autonomous vehicles among younger generations. This could help with the acceptance of self-driving technologies in the future.

Waymo's expansion to Nashville follows an earlier initiative in San Francisco, where it already offers a robotaxi service for teenagers. The success of these initiatives will likely be monitored to determine if they can be rolled out on a larger scale to other cities. This step can also be seen as a way to strengthen Waymo's competitive advantage in the rapidly growing market for autonomous vehicles.

With this new approach, Waymo is responding to trends in mobility and the changing needs of consumers. While traditional transportation options for young people are limited, Waymo provides an alternative solution that fits the digital lifestyle of this generation. It is an interesting development that could redefine the future of private transportation.

Read the full article from Techcrunch.