How to ride a robotaxi
Start with the right app for your city, which could be Waymo, Uber, Lyft, Zoox or Tesla Robotaxi, and request a ride inside the service area. When the car arrives, spot it by its roof display or the app's cues and open the locked doors from your phone. Then fasten your belt and start the ride from the screen.
Updated . By the Robotaxi Atlas desk.
Which app to use in each city
Waymo's own app books rides in Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, San Diego and San Antonio. It also handles the waitlist cities, Las Vegas and Denver, where you sign up and wait to be let in.
Austin and Atlanta are exceptions, with Waymo rides booked only in the Uber app. In Nashville you can use the Waymo app or get matched with a Waymo in Lyft.
Public Zoox rides run in Las Vegas, booked in the Zoox app or Uber, and in San Francisco, where Explorers invited off a waitlist use the Zoox app. Tesla sticks to its Tesla Robotaxi app in every market, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Tampa.
Riding a Waymo, step by step
Find the car. Look for your initials on the dome on the roof, or honk the horn or play a melody from the app. Find my car gives turn-by-turn directions to the pickup spot with visual, audio and haptic cues.
Get in. Cars arrive locked. Open the locks from the app, or set the doors to release or open automatically, depending on the car. The app also shows how long the car will wait, and if you don't get there in time the ride cancels and a no-show fee may apply.
Start. Tap Start ride on the in-car screen or in the app and fasten your seatbelt. Up to four riders can travel, and the driver's seat stays empty. Mid-trip, the app lets you change the destination, pull over or cancel.
Booking through Uber works much the same way. The Waymo shows your initials on its rooftop dome, the car button in the Uber app opens it, and support is available around the clock through the Uber app or the in-car screen.
Riding a Zoox
Zoox doesn't come to any curb. You walk to a designated pickup point, where in Las Vegas a Concierge may help, and the app tells you when the ride has arrived. Doors open only on the curb side.
After the doors close, tap START RIDE on the rider screen. The vehicle stays put until everyone is seated and buckled. Each of the four facing seats has its own belt, meant for one person.
Riding a Tesla Robotaxi
Booking in the Tesla Robotaxi app and riding alone both require being 18, and you can't book for someone else. A Model Y takes up to four passengers with the front-left seat left empty, while a Cybercab takes two. For anything left behind, the app has a Lost Item Report form.
Before your first ride
Check the city page before you go, since a city with a waitlist may mean signing up and waiting before your first ride. Rules for children, bags and car seats are in luggage, pets and car seats, and support options in if something goes wrong.
Questions people ask
What app do I need to ride a Waymo?
Most Waymo cities use the Waymo app. In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo rides are booked only through the Uber app, and in Nashville you can also be matched with a Waymo in the Lyft app.
How do I find my Waymo at pickup?
A Waymo shows your initials on the dome on its roof. You can also honk the horn or play a melody from the app, or use Find my car for turn-by-turn directions.
How do I start a Zoox ride?
After the doors close, tap START RIDE on the rider screen. A Zoox ride won't start until everyone is seated and buckled.
Can I book a Tesla Robotaxi for someone else?
Tesla's rider rules don't allow booking a Tesla Robotaxi for others. You must be 18 to book and to ride alone.