Lyft brings Waymo robotaxis to Nashville app
Lyft is handling fleet and depot operations as it begins offering Waymo’s driverless vehicles through its app, with broader partnerships and international markets under consideration.
Lyft has begun commercial driverless robotaxi services in Nashville by adding Waymo vehicles to its ride-hailing app. Users can request a Waymo robotaxi through Lyft, subject to availability, or book directly through Waymo’s app.
Under the partnership, Lyft will manage vehicle readiness and maintenance, as well as infrastructure and depot operations through its wholly owned subsidiary Flexdrive. Waymo is providing the autonomous vehicles.
The move follows Lyft’s earlier work with Aptiv, now Motional, in Las Vegas, May Mobility in Atlanta, Baidu in London and Waymo in Phoenix. Lyft sold its Level 5 autonomous-vehicle unit to Toyota’s Woven Planet Holdings for $550 million in 2021 before refocusing on its core ride-hailing business.
TechCrunch reported that Lyft executive vice-president of growth Jeremy Bird expects greater diversification of the company’s autonomous-vehicle partnerships in 2027. That could include expanded work with Waymo and Baidu, although Baidu’s commercial service in London had not launched at the time of reporting.
Lyft is also considering international markets where autonomous and human-driven vehicles can operate together. The company has not specified which markets it may enter, or provided a timetable for expansion.
