Waymo’s latest expansion strategy: teenagers

Alphabet-owned Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to teenagers as young as 13 in Nashville, aiming to attract a new segment of riders. This move follows the company's successful launch of teen accounts in Phoenix last year, with more cities expected to follow suit. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed that the expansion to Nashville will be the "first of many" teen launches in various markets that utilize the Waymo app.

The service will be available in cities where Waymo's operations are well-established and local regulations permit it. Nashville, though relatively new for Waymo, has received support from local leaders for offering the service to teens. The company launched its service in a 50-square-mile area of the city in April 2026, and in recent months, robotaxis have been available on the Lyft app.

Waymo's ridership has surged, with paid robotaxi trips increasing tenfold from 50,000 per week in May 2024 to over half-a-million per week earlier this year. The company has also expanded its robotaxi services to a dozen other cities, including Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Tampa. The introduction of teen accounts offers a new growth avenue, targeting an audience that often relies on adult assistance for transportation.

Teens can use the teen account, linked to a parent or guardian, to request rides in Waymo's service area in Nashville, and bring up to three friends aged 13 to 17 along. While the service may lead to some chaos, it could also appeal to parents who prefer their children to use Waymo over a vehicle driven by a teenager.