Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Teens as Young as 13 in Nashville

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, is expanding its robotaxi service to allow teenagers as young as 13 to hail rides in Nashville. This move follows a pilot program in Phoenix and is part of Waymo’s broader strategy to target new demographics and accelerate ridership growth.

Expansion to Teen Riders

Waymo is now allowing teenagers aged 13 and older to use its robotaxi service in Nashville, according to TechCrunch. This marks the second city after Phoenix, where the company launched a teen account pilot program last year.

Teen accounts must be linked to a parent or guardian but allow teens to hail rides independently within Waymo’s service areas. Each teen account can bring up to three guests aged 13 to 17, though Waymo has not specified how age verification will be handled.

A Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch that Nashville was chosen due to local regulatory support and the maturity of its operations. The company plans to expand teen accounts to additional markets in the coming months.

Ridership and Fleet Growth

Waymo’s ridership has surged in the past two years, growing from 50,000 paid trips per week in May 2024 to over 500,000 per week as of September 2026, TechCrunch reports. The company now operates in 15 U.S. cities, up from just three—Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—in September 2024.

In the past month alone, Waymo launched services in Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Tampa. Its fleet has also expanded rapidly, with nearly 80% of its 4,000 robotaxis concentrated in California and Texas. Texas alone has seen a 49% increase in Waymo’s fleet over the past three weeks, reaching 1,102 vehicles.

Waymo’s growth in Texas is driven by the Ojai minivan, a modified Zeekr RT vehicle equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system. The Ojai now makes up about a third of Waymo’s Texas fleet, and the company plans to import 5,100 of these vehicles by the end of 2026. However, rising U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles are increasing costs for these imports.

Partnerships and Market Reach

Waymo’s robotaxis became available on the Lyft app in Nashville earlier this month, expanding its reach to Lyft’s user base. The company also partnered with Uber to launch commercial service in Austin in March 2025.

These partnerships are part of Waymo’s strategy to integrate its autonomous vehicles into existing ride-hailing platforms, increasing accessibility and adoption. The company’s service in Nashville covers a 50-square-mile area, launched in April 2026.

What this means

LazyFounders analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Waymo’s expansion to teen riders is a calculated move to tap into a new demographic and drive long-term ridership growth. By allowing teens as young as 13 to use its service—with parental oversight—Waymo is positioning itself as a solution for families and urban mobility challenges. This could also help normalize autonomous vehicles for younger generations, potentially accelerating adoption as these users grow older.

However, challenges remain. Age verification, safety concerns, and regulatory hurdles will require careful handling, especially as Waymo scales to more cities. The company’s rapid fleet expansion, particularly with the Ojai minivan, demonstrates its commitment to scaling operations, but rising tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles could squeeze margins or lead to higher costs for riders.

Waymo’s partnerships with Lyft and Uber are a smart play to leverage existing user bases, but the company will need to ensure service quality and reliability to retain trust—especially among parents entrusting their teens to autonomous rides.

Key takeaways

• Waymo’s latest expansion targets teens aged 13-17, starting with Nashville and Phoenix.
• Parental or guardian approval is required for teen accounts, but teens can hail rides independently.
• Waymo’s weekly paid rides have surged from 50,000 in 2024 to 500,000 in 2026.
• The company operates in 15 U.S. cities, with 80% of its fleet in California and Texas.
• Waymo’s fleet growth is driven by the Ojai minivan, a modified Zeekr vehicle facing higher U.S. import costs due to tariffs.
• Waymo partnerships with Lyft and Uber are expanding its service reach in new markets.

FAQ

Why is Waymo targeting teens as young as 13 for its robotaxi service?

Waymo is expanding to teen riders to tap into a new demographic, increase ridership, and normalize autonomous vehicles for younger users. This strategy could also address urban mobility challenges for families, providing a safe and controlled transportation option for teens.

How does Waymo’s teen account system work?

Teen accounts must be linked to a parent or guardian, but once approved, teens can independently hail rides within Waymo’s service areas. Each teen account can bring up to three guests aged 13 to 17, though age verification methods have not been detailed.

What cities currently allow Waymo’s teen accounts?

As of September 2026, Waymo offers teen accounts in Nashville and Phoenix. The company plans to expand this feature to additional markets where its operations are mature and local regulations permit.

How has Waymo’s ridership grown in recent years?

Waymo’s paid robotaxi trips have grown tenfold in the past two years, from 50,000 per week in May 2024 to over 500,000 per week as of September 2026.

What challenges does Waymo face with its fleet expansion?

Waymo’s fleet expansion is constrained by rising U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles, which increase costs for its Ojai minivans. Additionally, scaling operations across 15 cities requires maintaining service quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

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