Home / Business and Economy / Waymo Secures $16B for Global Robotaxi Expansion
Waymo Secures $16B for Global Robotaxi Expansion
3 Feb
Summary
- Waymo raised $16 billion, valuing the company at $126 billion.
- Expansion planned to over a dozen new cities globally, including London and Tokyo.
- Waymo reported 400,000 weekly rides across six major U.S. metro areas.
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company under Alphabet's umbrella, has successfully raised $16 billion, establishing a company valuation of $126 billion. This significant funding round, led by prominent investment groups, is earmarked for accelerating Waymo's growth and expanding its driverless taxicab services.
The company is preparing to launch operations in over a dozen new international cities by 2026, with London and Tokyo specifically mentioned as future markets. This global push builds upon its recent successes in the U.S.
In 2025, Waymo reported a substantial increase in ride volume, tripling its annual figures to 15 million rides and surpassing 20 million lifetime rides. The service currently operates across six major U.S. metropolitan areas, providing approximately 400,000 rides each week.
Despite its rapid expansion and commercial success, Waymo faces increased scrutiny. Investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing due to incidents involving robotaxis, including encounters with school buses and a collision with a child.
