Waymo Diversifies in Nashville with Lyft - CleanTechnica

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi services to Nashville, marking a shift from its usual partnership with Uber to collaborating with Lyft. This strategic move allows Waymo to avoid reliance on a single ride-hailing platform and fosters competition between Uber and Lyft for its business. In Nashville, Waymo’s fully autonomous rides will initially be accessible via the Waymo app, with plans to integrate Lyft’s app later as the service grows. Lyft’s fleet management expertise, particularly through its Flexdrive subsidiary, is a key factor in this partnership. Waymo has driven over 100 million fully autonomous miles and demonstrated that its robotaxis are safer than average human drivers. The company plans to launch fully autonomous operations in Nashville in the coming months and open the service to the public next year. Local and company leaders, including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lyft CEO David Risher, and Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to enhance transportation options and economic growth in the region.