Waymo Teams with Lyft to Launch Robotaxi Service in Nashville by 2026
Key Points
- Waymo will launch a robotaxi service in Nashville in 2026.
- Ride requests will start on the Waymo One app, later expanding to Lyft’s app.
- Lyft will manage the fleet using its Flexdrive system, handling maintenance, cleaning and EV charging.
- A dedicated fleet‑management facility will be established in Nashville.
- The partnership revives a 2019 collaboration in Phoenix and follows earlier ties with Uber in Austin and Atlanta.
- Waymo’s Nashville rollout follows manual data‑collection drives earlier this year and will move to autonomous testing later this year.
- The Nashville launch is part of Waymo’s broader expansion into multiple U.S. cities.
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle firm, announced plans to introduce a robotaxi service in Nashville in 2026. The rollout will initially use the Waymo One app for ride requests, later expanding to Lyft’s platform. Lyft will manage fleet operations through its Flexdrive system, handling maintenance, cleaning and electric‑vehicle charging. The partnership follows earlier collaborations in Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, and marks a significant step toward broader commercial deployments across multiple U.S. cities.
Launch Plans for Nashville
Waymo is set to bring its autonomous robotaxi service to Nashville, with a target launch year of 2026. Customers will first be able to request rides through the Waymo One app, and the service will later become accessible via Lyft’s ride‑hail app. The company’s presence in Nashville began earlier this year as part of an annual “road trip,” during which Waymo operated its vehicles manually to gather data on local weather and driving patterns.
Partnership with Lyft
Lyft will play a central role in managing Waymo’s Nashville fleet. Using Lyft’s Flexdrive system, the ride‑hail company will provide end‑to‑end fleet management, covering vehicle maintenance, cleaning, depot operations and electric‑vehicle charging. A dedicated fleet‑management facility will be built in Nashville to support these activities. This collaboration revives a previous joint effort in Phoenix in 2019 and follows Waymo’s later partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta.
Operational Timeline
Waymo plans to shift from manual data‑collection driving to autonomous testing later this year, paving the way for commercial operations in 2026. The Nashville launch is part of a broader rollout strategy that includes other major markets such as Washington, DC, Miami, Denver, Seattle, Dallas and New York City.
Strategic Implications
The alliance with Lyft underscores Waymo’s flexible approach to ride‑hail partnerships, allowing the company to leverage existing platforms while retaining control over its autonomous technology. Lyft’s Flexdrive offering provides Waymo with a ready‑made infrastructure for fleet upkeep and charging, reducing the logistical burden of scaling a robotaxi network.