Waymo to Launch Driverless Ride-Hailing Service in Denver

Waymo will launch fully operational driverless ride-hailing services in Denver before the end of 2026. The company is currently conducting final validations of service quality and safety metrics following a series of testing phases that progressed from human-operated vehicles to empty autonomous vans.

On August 20, 2026, the company held press demonstrations featuring its sixth-generation all-electric autonomous minivans. These vehicles integrate the Gemini AI platform and include specialized hardware designed for snowy weather. The service will operate 24/7 via the Waymo app within a 50-mile radius of Denver city limits, though freeways and Denver International Airport are excluded from the initial rollout.

Waymo plans to start with dozens of vehicles and scale to hundreds. The company reports an 82% reduction in injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers over 220 million rider-only miles. Despite these safety metrics, the company has previously managed challenges including vehicle recalls caused by autonomous cars entering construction zones and flooded roads, as well as protests and vandalism in other cities.