Waymo began offering limited public rides in its robotaxis in Las Vegas on Monday, marking the latest autonomous vehicle company to provide rides in Southern Nevada.
Select riders who signed up for Waymo’s interest list will be the first to experience rides in the company’s Ojai vehicles in Las Vegas, with a service area of nearly 24 miles, the Alphabet-owned company announced Monday.
Over 100,000 people have expressed interest in riding with Waymo, ahead of the roll out, with the company conducting test rides in the city over the past several months.
“Cruising down Las Vegas Boulevard in a Waymo will make anyone feel like a high roller,” Jackie Hyun, head of marketing at Waymo, said in a statement. “Our Ojai vehicle offers a spacious cabin, large screens and a load of customizations that help riders arrive safe and comfortable, throughout our nearly 24-mile service area.”
In August, the Nevada Transportation Authority approved Waymo to operate a fleet of up to 1,000 robotaxis. The Alphabet Inc. Backed company began testing driverless service without a safety driver in place in July, where only employees could ride as passengers.
The service area is generally around the resort corridor, cutting off at Sahara Avenue to the north, around Sunset Road to the south, Jones Boulevard to the west and Eastern Avenue to the east. Waymo signed deals with Allegiant Stadium and the Venetian, making the autonomous vehicle company the official ride-hailing partner of both properties.
Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle, the Ojai, features elevator-like doors, with a lower step to make entering and exiting easier for customers. The interior of the robotaxis features three large LED screens that allow riders to control various aspects of a trip, including temperature and music.
Waymo now offers service in 15 metro areas, with Nevada being the eighth state in the U.S. with paid rides.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley hailed the launch of paid Waymo rides in Southern Nevada.
“Las Vegas and its neighborhoods are evolving rapidly, and expanding smart, clean transit options is essential for our city’s future,” Berkley said in a statement. “The public rollout of Waymo’s all-electric autonomous ride-hailing brings technology directly to our municipal streets, helping residents and patrons travel seamlessly between the cultural districts and neighborhood centers. By investing in cleaner, safer urban mobility, we ensure the City of Las Vegas remains an accessible, vibrant, and forward-looking community.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
