Waymo will deploy driverless cars in Houston soon

Catch up quick: Waymo began testing its technology on Houston streets with human drivers in May.

• Trained specialists manually drove 10 Waymo vehicles around to help the company gather data on city streets and how they operate.

The latest: Waymo officials say the company will start offering driverless rides via its app in early 2026.

• Interested riders can sign up for updates on Waymo's website.

Flashback: Waymo is the second robotaxi service to try to make it in the Bayou City.

• GM's now-defunct robotaxi company Cruise offered service in Houston in 2023 before the company shuttered the next year amid financial and safety concerns.

State of play: Waymo's driverless cars began taking Austin passengers for a spin via Uber in March, and there are now more than 100 Waymo operating in the city, per the company.

Yes, but: An Axios examination of federal data shows that Waymo autonomous vehicles were involved in at least 23 collisions in Austin between June 16 and Oct. 15 — though the records don't indicate who was at fault in the incidents.

• The company says its autonomous cars are involved in 11 times fewer crashes that cause serious injury or worse compared to human drivers.

What they're saying: "We are committed to bringing policymakers, regulators, safety officials, and community partners on the journey with us so they can have a thorough understanding of how our technology works and the benefits it can provide their communities," Waymo said in a statement.

Zoom out: The company is also deploying driverless vehicles in Dallas and San Antonio soon.