Waymo and Lyft Team Up to Launch Robotaxi Service in Nashville
Key Points
- Waymo and Lyft partner to launch a robotaxi service in Nashville.
- The fleet will consist of all‑electric Jaguar I‑Pace autonomous vehicles.
- Lyft’s Flexdrive unit will handle fleet services and infrastructure.
- Riders will first hail rides via the Waymo app, later also via Lyft’s app.
- The model differs from Waymo’s Uber partnership, which requires the Uber app for rides.
- The service follows Waymo’s broader expansion from Phoenix to multiple U.S. cities.
Waymo announced a partnership with Lyft to bring a robotaxi service to Nashville, planning to test a fleet of all‑electric Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles before opening the service to the public. Lyft will handle fleet services through its Flexdrive subsidiary and invest in a dedicated autonomous‑vehicle facility. Riders will initially hail rides via the Waymo app, with future integration into the Lyft app. The arrangement mirrors Waymo’s earlier collaborations but differs from its Uber partnership, where customers must use the Uber app for robotaxi rides.
Partnership Overview
Waymo and Lyft have entered into an agreement to launch a robotaxi service in Nashville. The collaboration will see Waymo’s autonomous technology paired with Lyft’s ride‑hailing platform, aiming to bring self‑driving rides to the city after a testing phase.
Fleet and Technology
The service will rely on a fleet of all‑electric Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles equipped with Waymo’s autonomous driving system. These vehicles will be tested in the Nashville area before the public launch, which is slated for the following year.
Operational Model
Lyft will manage fleet services, including vehicle readiness, maintenance, infrastructure, and depot operations, through its wholly‑owned subsidiary Flexdrive. The company is also investing in a purpose‑built autonomous‑vehicle facility to support the fleet. Initially, riders will request rides directly through the Waymo app. As the service expands, Waymo plans to dispatch autonomous vehicles for matched rides on the Lyft app, offering two avenues for customers to access the robotaxis.
Comparison with Uber Collaboration
Waymo’s partnership with Lyft differs from its earlier arrangement with Uber in Atlanta and Austin. In the Uber model, customers must use the Uber app to be matched with a robotaxi, whereas the Waymo‑Lyft deal allows direct access through Waymo’s own app and later integration with Lyft’s platform.
Future Expansion
The Nashville launch follows Waymo’s expansion from its original commercial market in Phoenix to additional cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The company has also signaled intentions to bring robotaxis to other markets, including Miami, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Denver.