Lyft, Waymo announce partnership to launch robotaxis in Nashville

Published: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Waymo and Lyft Partner to Bring Robotaxis to Nashville in 2026

Nashville residents can anticipate the arrival of robotaxis in 2026, thanks to a new partnership between Waymo and Lyft. The collaboration, announced Wednesday, will see Waymo's all-electric autonomous vehicles, specifically the Jaguar I-Pace, integrated into Lyft's ride-hailing platform.

Waymo plans to begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Nashville in the coming months. The goal is to make the robotaxi service publicly available through Lyft by 2026. Initially, users will be able to hail rides through the Waymo app, with the option to use the Lyft platform becoming available later.

This partnership marks a significant expansion for Waymo, which has already launched robotaxi services in other major cities. Earlier this year, Waymo partnered with Uber to bring its autonomous vehicles to Atlanta and Austin. Waymo also has plans to expand its robotaxi service to Miami, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Denver.

Lyft CEO David Risher highlighted the synergy between the two companies, emphasizing Waymo's proven autonomous technology and Lyft's focus on customer experience and fleet management. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, citing Lyft's fleet management capabilities as a key factor in the expansion to Nashville.

BNN's Perspective: This partnership represents a notable step forward in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicle technology. While the technology is still in its early stages, the collaboration between Waymo and Lyft, and the expansion to new cities, suggests growing confidence in the viability of robotaxis. The success of this venture will depend on factors such as public acceptance, regulatory approvals, and the ability to integrate these vehicles seamlessly into existing transportation infrastructure.

Keywords: Waymo, Lyft, robotaxi, autonomous vehicles, Nashville, partnership, ride-hailing, Jaguar I-Pace, self-driving cars, transportation, technology, expansion, fleet management

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