• Robotaxis’ higher costs and limited access raise the question – are robotaxis worth it?
• China rides are cheaper, but most still pick human drivers.

There’s no driver in front. A passenger taps an app, steps into a sleek Jaguar I‑Pace, and glides off through city streets. In Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, that’s a growing reality. Waymo now logs over 250,000 paid rides each week, covering roughly 250 square miles of service area. That’s up from just 10,000 weekly rides in 2023, and 200,000 by February 2025. Meanwhile, the global robotaxi market, valued at just over US $4 billion in 2025, is on pace to hit $40 billion by 2030, growing at more than 60% per year.

But are people actually taking these driverless cars – and is it worth it?

Waymo gains ground while Tesla enters the race

Waymo’s autonomous vehicles are now a regular sight in parts of Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. The company says it’s logging more than 250,000 paid rides each week, spread in a service area of around 250 square miles. Its fleet of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles is fully driverless, with no safety driver in the front seat. The service is public, though new users often need to sign up for a waiting list.

Tesla entered the robotaxi space in June 2025 with a small pilot in Austin. Unlike Waymo, Tesla’s service uses regular Model Y vehicles and keeps a safety operator on board. Rides cost a flat $4.20. The programme is currently invite-only and limited to select zones around downtown Austin. Tesla says it will grow the fleet and launch a new custom-built vehicle by next year.

Zoox, Amazon’s self-driving car division, is also preparing to enter the market. The company has built a factory in Hayward, California, and plans to produce up to 10,000 vehicles a year. The cars have no steering wheels or pedals and are designed to be fully autonomous. Zoox expects to launch its service in Las Vegas later this year, followed by San Francisco in 2026.

Ride costs still higher than Uber and Lyft

Robotaxis aren’t the cheapest ride option – at least not in the US. Waymo rides in San Francisco cost about $20.43 on average, according to a June 2025 comparison. That’s around $5 more than a similar UberX ride and $6 more than a Lyft. During peak hours, the price gap widens to $9 – $11.

The same comparison found that most Waymo riders were happy with the experience, especially the smooth ride and lack of small talk. Still, more than half said they wouldn’t pay more than $10 above the price of a regular e-hailing trip.

Tesla’s pricing in Austin is more aggressive. A $4.20 flat fare makes it competitive with most human-driven options in the city. But the service is still limited and operates under close regulatory watch.

China’s robotaxis are cheaper and more available

In China, robotaxis are cheaper and used more widely. Baidu’s Apollo Go service, for example, operates over 400 driverless cars in Wuhan. A ride costs around 4 yuan – less than a dollar – compared to the average human-driven fare of 18 yuan.

WeRide, another Chinese company, is running driverless services in multiple cities in China. It also has pilot programmes in Paris, Zurich, the UAE, and Singapore. In many cases, these robotaxis are being used in zones with fewer transport options, which helps fill gaps rather than compete with human drivers.

The scale of robotaxi operations in China suggests a more aggressive approach to deployment. With fewer restrictions in some areas and more public-private partnerships, robotaxis are becoming part of everyday transport, especially in second-tier cities.

Safety stats suggest a real advantage

Robotaxis may not be cheaper, but Waymo claims they are safer. It released data in October 2024 stating autonomous system causes fewer crashes compared to human drivers.

In another review, Waymo vehicles were linked to 86% fewer claims for bodily injury and 92% fewer property damage claims when compared to human drivers in similar areas.

The safety record plays a big role in winning over hesitant passengers. For families or elderly riders, the lower crash risk may outweigh concerns about price or unfamiliar technology.

New markets, limited access

Robotaxi services are growing but still limited. Tesla’s Austin rollout is small and doesn’t use dedicated vehicles yet. Waymo has bigger numbers, but access remains restricted. Some users have to join a waitlist, and services only work in geofenced areas.

Waymo is expanding into Tokyo and Atlanta next. It also has future plans for Washington, D.C., and is conducting early tests in New York City. In most cases, launches are slow, and progress depends heavily on local regulators.

Zoox’s planned rollout in Las Vegas adds to the mix, but it too is starting small. While interest in robotaxis is high, actual ride availability remains narrow.

Robotaxis still aren’t for everyone

Robotaxis have made real progress, but they still have limits. Most services run in specific zones. Many require an invite or app signup. Some use human monitors, which means they aren’t truly driverless yet. And while fares may come down over time, they’re still higher than human rides in many cities.

Tesla’s small-scale launch shows how difficult it is to roll out this type of service, especially without dedicated support teams. It’s also unclear how regulators will respond. In Texas, officials are watching Tesla’s programme closely, and questions have come up about whether it meets the same safety standards as others.

There’s also the matter of trust. Some riders are still hesitant to get into a car with no driver. That hesitation slows adoption, even when the ride is available and affordable.

Is it worth it? It depends on what you value

If safety is the top concern, robotaxis make a good case. Waymo’s crash data looks strong. The rider experience is quiet and consistent. There’s also a novelty factor that some users enjoy.

But if you’re looking for the fastest, cheapest ride, Uber or Lyft may still be the better option – at least for now. Robotaxis aren’t available in most places, and where they are, service can be limited.

Long term, the picture could shift. Analysts expect robotaxi fares to fall as fleets grow. Some forecasts put future per-mile costs at $0.30 to $0.50, which would make them cheaper than most ride-hailing apps today.

As the tech improves and public trust builds, more people may be willing to give robotaxis a try. And once prices come down and waitlists go away, they could become a regular part of city life.

Are people using robotaxis? Yes – but mostly in test markets or under special access rules. Are they worth it? That depends on what you’re comparing against. They’re not for everyone yet, but the direction is clear: more routes, more riders, and eventually, better prices.