Summary
Waymo says anyone in Houston can now use its app to request a fully autonomous ride. The company says more than 100,000 riders from its interest list had used the service since it opened in February.
Waymo says anyone in Houston can now download its app and request a fully autonomous ride, opening the service beyond the interest-list riders it had invited since launch. The company announced the change on August 20, 2026, and says more than 100,000 Houston riders had used the service since it opened in February.
From an interest list to open access
The change is an expansion of who can book rides, rather than an announcement of a new vehicle or autonomous-driving system. Waymo says the Houston service had initially welcomed riders from its interest list; it is now offering the service to everyone through the app.
The company describes the rides as fully autonomous. Its announcement does not detail the service’s precise operating boundaries, so the citywide opening should not be taken as a description of where every pickup is available.
Accessibility and local use
Waymo says its vehicles have served Houstonians making errands, commuting and going out. The company also says it provided rides for visitors travelling to and from games at Reliant Stadium during the World Cup.
Raul Gallegos, identified in the announcement as First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, welcomed the broader availability, saying it could support independence and accessibility for blind riders, including those travelling with guide dogs. This points to one practical dimension of the expansion: access to a ride-hailing service can matter not only for general transport, but also for people who may face barriers using other travel options.