RobotaxiProfit
Operator comparison

Waymo vs Baidu Apollo Go

Compare Waymo and Baidu Apollo Go on service areas, vehicles, rider fares and private-car access.

How the operators compare

These operators have no shared city in this dataset. The comparison covers their documented business and operating arrangements across different markets.

Operator comparison
FieldWaymoBaidu Apollo Go
Parent companyAlphabetBaidu
Vehicle platformsJaguar I-PACE, OjaiApollo RT6
Company-wide owner accessUnknownUnknown
Cities covered in this datasetAustin, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, San Diego, Tampa, Houston, Munich, AtlantaBeijing
Service descriptionWaymo sells trips in a defined service area. Riders use its app in most markets and Uber in Austin and Atlanta. The map for each market shows where a rider can request a trip.Apollo Go is Baidu’s ride-hailing business. Baidu reports driverless operations in mainland China and describes the RT6 as one vehicle in its fleet.

City-level evidence

Deployment evidence
CityOperatorService statusSinceVehicleOnboard monitorOwner enrollmentVerifiedEvidence
AtlantaWaymoPublic · paidUnknownUnknownNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Rider FAQ, vehicles and pricing
AustinWaymoPublic · paidMar 4, 2025Jaguar I-PACENoUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo rides open to Uber customers in Austin
BeijingBaidu Apollo GoPublic · paidUnknownApollo Go robotaxiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Baidu business overview and Apollo Go service
DenverWaymoPublic · paidSep 1, 2026OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026First public riders in Denver, San Diego and Tampa
HoustonWaymoPublic · paidFeb 24, 2026UnknownNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo opens paid service in four new cities
Las VegasWaymoPublic · paidSep 14, 2026OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo adds Las Vegas airport trips
Los AngelesWaymoPublic · paidUnknownJaguar I-PACE and OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Where you can go
MunichWaymoAnnouncedAug 25, 2026UnknownUnknownUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo’s plans for Munich
PhoenixWaymoPublic · paidUnknownJaguar I-PACE and OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Where you can go
San DiegoWaymoPublic · paidSep 1, 2026OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo opens access in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa
San FranciscoWaymoPublic · paidUnknownJaguar I-PACE and OjaiNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Where you can go
TampaWaymoPublic · paidSep 1, 2026UnknownNoUnknownNov 14, 2026Waymo opens access in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa

Fare and service-area notes

Where riders can book and what is known about fares
ServiceArea and booking accessFare evidence
Waymo · AustinUber matches eligible requests in the Austin service area.The initial Waymo match carried the price of the requested Uber product.
Waymo · San FranciscoService extends along the peninsula from San Francisco toward San Jose. Check both addresses in the app.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · PhoenixThe service area includes downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and portions of the East Valley.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · Las VegasWaymo admits riders gradually. Its Las Vegas service includes Harry Reid International Airport.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · Los AngelesWaymo describes service from Santa Monica to Echo Park. Use the current map to check a specific trip.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · DenverRider access is being expanded gradually. The Waymo app determines eligibility for an individual account.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · San DiegoThe invitation requirement was removed in October. Check the app for the trip boundary.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · TampaWaymo removed its Tampa invitation requirement in October. Current eligible stops appear in the app.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · HoustonWaymo lists Houston among its rider markets. The local service map describes gradual access.Waymo quotes the trip before booking. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.
Waymo · MunichWaymo announced mapping and supervised testing ahead of a targeted commercial launch late in 2027.Announced market. No public fare verified.
Waymo · AtlantaUber can match eligible Atlanta riders with a Waymo in the operating area.Check the eligible Uber product’s quote.
Baidu Apollo Go · BeijingBaidu identifies Beijing as a mainland service market. Use the Apollo Go app to check a specific route.Commercial service. No citywide average fare per paid mile verified.

What this means for earning money here

Paid passenger service is recorded for Waymo, Baidu Apollo Go. A rider fare can help price a trip, while the owner’s receipts depend on how the fare is settled. The reviewed local records do not establish an open enrollment program for a privately owned car.

For Austin, reserve the hours needed for personal trips, then vary paid utilization and the owner share. Enter the electricity tariff and insurance quote that apply to the vehicle. Unknown fares and uncontracted shares remain scenario assumptions.

Model owner earnings

Sources

  1. Baidu business overview and Apollo Go service
  2. Waymo rider locations and booking partners
  3. Waymo rides open to Uber customers in Austin
  4. Where you can go
  5. Waymo adds Las Vegas airport trips
  6. First public riders in Denver, San Diego and Tampa
  7. Waymo opens access in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa
  8. Waymo opens paid service in four new cities
  9. Waymo’s plans for Munich
  10. Rider FAQ, vehicles and pricing
Newsletter

The Robotaxi Profit Report

Get the week’s verified service changes and the numbers behind them.