Lyft, Waymo Partner to Launch Robotaxi Service in Nashville — Update

By Kelly Cloonan

Lyft is teaming up with Alphabet's Waymo, with the ride-hailing company adding the robotaxi-operator to its growing slate of partnerships as the race to offer autonomous rides at scale ramps up.

The companies said Wednesday they plan to launch Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service in Nashville, Tenn., starting next year using Lyft's fleet-management services, including vehicle maintenance, infrastructure and depot operations.

The fleet of autonomous vehicles would first be available on Waymo's app, with plans to expand to Lyft's platform later in 2026. As part of the partnership, Lyft will construct an AV fleet-management facility to charge and service the vehicles.

Lyft shares climbed 15% to $23.25 shortly after market open, on track for its highest close in more than three years, before paring some of that gain to trade at $22.99, up 14%.

The two companies have worked together in a limited capacity in the past, piloting several Waymo vehicles on Lyft's network in Phoenix back in 2019.

Their renewed collaboration comes as competition heats up among both ride-hailing and robotaxi companies to offer autonomous rides across the country, often with overlapping partnerships.

For ride-hailing companies, autonomous vehicles help address one of their biggest challenges, namely, the cost and availability of drivers.

Lyft currently offers robotaxis in Atlanta through a partnership with May Mobility. It also plans to expand to Dallas with the help of Mobileye and to Germany and the U.K. with Baidu, with both launches slated for next year.

Rival Uber Technologies also has notched a slew of autonomous vehicle partners, including Waymo. The companies currently offer autonomous rides in Atlanta, Phoenix and Austin, Texas.

Shares of Uber recently fell 4.8% to $93.12.

Uber also plans to launch robotaxi services in Asia and the Middle East with Baidu and in Arlington, Texas, with May Mobility, both set for later this year.

Waymo offers rides in San Francisco and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Miami, Dallas and Washington, D.C., next year. It also is testing a swath of other cities, including Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla.

Waymo's latest partnership is part of its efforts to scale its services to more people in more places, the company said, serving riders in Nashville alongside Lyft's network of drivers.

For Lyft, the collaboration advances its vision of a hybrid future, the company said.

"Waymo has proven that its autonomous technology works at scale," Lyft Chief Executive David Risher said.

Write to Kelly Cloonan at kelly.cloonan@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 17, 2025 12:16 ET (16:16 GMT)