Waymo began offering fully autonomous robotaxi services in Tampa on September 1, 2026, covering about 50 square miles of the city, but the expansion has prompted safety concerns from University of South Florida students who question whether the technology is ready for urban streets. The service is currently available only to select customers through a waitlist system, with plans to add more passengers in the coming months.

What Are Students Worried About?

The concerns raised by USF students center on three main issues: pedestrian safety, job displacement, and the reliability of autonomous vehicle navigation systems. Many students who walk through Tampa daily worry about being struck by a Waymo vehicle, particularly given past incidents involving autonomous vehicles and pedestrians. One student noted that while a July 2026 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that Waymo had a 68% lower crash-involvement rate than human drivers in the same area, this statistic applied only to vehicles operating fully autonomously during the study period.

"I am very concerned that a Waymo may run over me or someone I care about because they have hit people before. I think getting run over by a Waymo on the way to class would make college life harder," said Isabelle Sandridge-Suarez, a senior majoring in management at USF.

Isabelle Sandridge-Suarez, Senior, University of South Florida

Navigation accuracy emerged as another critical concern. Some students reported observing Waymo vehicles making illegal turns, driving down one-way streets in the wrong direction, and turning into oncoming traffic. These incidents suggest potential gaps in the mapping and piloting systems that guide the vehicles.

"Personally, my biggest qualm with Waymo is that I do not trust their maps/piloting system. I've seen videos of Waymos turning down one-way streets going the wrong way or turning into oncoming traffic. If that is the kind of maps system these cars are running on, I absolutely do not trust them," explained Emma Anderson, a senior history major.

Emma Anderson, Senior History Major, University of South Florida

How Are Robotaxis Affecting the Job Market?

Beyond safety, students raised concerns about the impact of driverless vehicles on employment. Rideshare driving through platforms like Uber and Lyft represents a critical income source for many people struggling to find traditional employment. The introduction of fully autonomous vehicles threatens to eliminate these jobs at a time when the job market is already challenging.

• Employment Impact: Waymo's expansion removes opportunities for drivers who rely on rideshare platforms to earn income during periods of job market instability.
• Market Timing: The rollout occurs during an especially difficult period for job seekers, with many people turning to gig work like Uber, DoorDash, and Postmates to make ends meet.
• Service Redundancy: Students questioned whether Waymo offers meaningful advantages over existing rideshare services that already provide transportation while supporting driver employment.

"I don't particularly like Waymo as they take jobs away from humans, as Uber is one of the main ways people make money when struggling to get a job. The job market nowadays is in an especially bad position where more people than ever are struggling to find work," noted Manuel Monasterio, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences.

Manuel Monasterio, Sophomore, University of South Florida

How Did Waymo Prepare for the Tampa Launch?

Waymo conducted extensive preparation before launching fully driverless services in Tampa. The company began driver-supervised testing in December 2025, during which human drivers mapped the area and studied traffic patterns. Local law enforcement also received training on how to properly interact with robotaxis. This phased approach mirrors the process Waymo used in other cities before transitioning to fully autonomous operations.

The Tampa launch represents part of Waymo's broader expansion strategy. On July 8, 2026, Waymo announced autonomous launches in four cities simultaneously: Tampa, Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego, bringing the company's total operational cities to 14 as of September 2026. The company first rolled out fully driverless services in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 8, 2020, before expanding to cities such as Orlando and Los Angeles.

Currently, Waymo's Tampa service covers approximately 50 square miles, including areas such as Hyde Park, Ybor City, and Temple Crest. The service has not yet expanded to Temple Terrace or the University of South Florida campus itself. Waymo is not the only autonomous service pursuing Tampa expansion; Tesla announced in July 2026 that the city would receive access to its driverless robotaxi service.

Despite the company's preparation efforts and safety data showing lower crash rates than human drivers, student skepticism reflects broader public concerns about autonomous vehicle reliability and the societal implications of widespread automation. As Waymo continues its expansion across the United States, these concerns will likely shape how communities receive and adopt driverless technology.