Robotaxis have moved from science fiction to something you can hail with a phone app in several U.S. cities. The two names leading that shift are Waymo (owned by Google's parent Alphabet) and Cruise (backed by General Motors). Both operate Level 4 driverless vehicles — but their stories have diverged.
At a glance
| Waymo | Cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Parent | Alphabet (Google) | General Motors |
| Service type | Driverless robotaxi | Driverless robotaxi |
| Footprint | Broader, more cities | More limited |
| Vehicle | Custom electric (Jaguar I-PACE-based) | Electric (Chevrolet Origin/Bolt-based) |
Waymo: the veteran
Waymo has been testing self-driving tech longer than almost anyone, and its driverless service has logged an enormous number of miles. It operates in a growing list of cities and is widely seen as the leader in robotaxi scale and reliability. Its conservative, sensor-heavy approach has made it a benchmark for the industry.
Cruise: the urban challenger
Cruise focused on dense urban environments and, before a well-publicized safety incident and subsequent pause, was expanding quickly. Its return to service has been more cautious and limited, with a narrower footprint than Waymo. It remains a key player, but its lead has narrowed.
What riding in one is like
Both offer an app-based experience: hail a ride, watch the car approach, and get dropped off — with no driver. The cars tend to drive cautiously and predictably, which some riders find reassuring and others find overly conservative at complex intersections. For the safety record behind this, see our self-driving safety explainer.
The verdict
If you want to try a driverless ride today, Waymo is the more broadly available and established option. Cruise is worth watching — and trying where it operates — but its footprint is smaller. Either way, this is the real, rideable frontier of autonomy, unlike the consumer driver-assistance features you can buy on a car.