Lyft is gearing up to introduce robotaxi services powered by Mobileye technology as early as 2026, starting in Dallas, Texas. According to CEO David Risher, the company plans to expand the service to additional cities, eventually deploying thousands of self-driving cabs.

Figure 1. Lyft's Futuristic Robotaxi Service Set to Launch in Dallas by 2026.

Currently operating in hundreds of cities across North America and serving 40 million riders annually, Lyft has not yet disclosed the number of autonomous vehicles it will roll out in Dallas or details on pricing for driverless rides. Figure 1 shows Lyft's Futuristic Robotaxi Service Set to Launch in Dallas by 2026.

Lyft is especially focused on making this initiative successful through a partnership with Japanese business conglomerate Marubeni. "Marubeni is a major global player in fleet ownership," said CEO David Risher, who has led the company since April 2023.

"They manage over 900,000 vehicles through various subsidiaries and joint ventures and have experienced consistent year-over-year growth in their B2B and B2C auto financing business. They're aiming to be leaders in the emerging autonomous vehicle space, and we look forward to working together."

Lyft has a history of collaborating with autonomous vehicle technology companies. In 2022, it launched driverless rides in Austin with Argo AI and in Las Vegas with Motional. However, both projects were discontinued later that year.

Despite this, Lyft continues its partnership with Motional, which played a key role in the company's initial foray into autonomous ride-hailing in Las Vegas.

Marubeni will own the autonomous vehicles operating on Lyft’s network and will utilize Lyft’s Flexdrive fleet management service for vehicle maintenance.

This news comes as competition in the robotaxi industry heats up. Tesla recently announced plans to deploy robotaxis by June 2025, while Waymo is expanding beyond Los Angeles into Atlanta, Austin, and 10 additional cities throughout the year.

In Austin, Uber has already started promoting Waymo’s self-driving cabs through its app. Additionally, Uber has secured partnerships with other autonomous vehicle companies, including Wayve and Aurora Innovation. With these developments, Lyft will have some catching up to do in the growing autonomous ride-hailing market.

Lyft’s Vision for Robotaxis

Lyft is aiming to revolutionize urban transportation with self-driving taxis, set to launch in Dallas by 2026. This initiative is powered by Mobileye’s autonomous vehicle technology, with the goal of enhancing ride-hailing efficiency and accessibility. CEO David Risher envisions thousands of self-driving cabs expanding to multiple cities over time.

The Role of Marubeni in Lyft’s Robotaxi Network

To make this vision a reality, Lyft has partnered with Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, which will own and manage the autonomous fleet. With over 900,000 vehicles in its portfolio, Marubeni brings extensive experience in fleet ownership and financing. Lyft will also integrate its Flexdrive fleet management service to maintain these robotaxis efficiently.

Lyft’s Track Record with Autonomous Vehicles

Lyft has previously collaborated with various self-driving technology firms, including Argo AI in Austin and Motional in Las Vegas, but both projects ended in 2022. Despite past setbacks, Lyft remains committed to autonomous ride-hailing, continuing its partnership with Motional while advancing new initiatives.

The Competitive Landscape in the Robotaxi Industry

Lyft faces stiff competition in the autonomous ride-hailing market. Tesla has announced plans to deploy robotaxis by mid-2025, while Waymo is rapidly expanding into cities like Atlanta and Austin. Uber is also ramping up its self-driving efforts, partnering with companies like Wayve and Aurora Innovation.

The Road Ahead for Lyft’s Robotaxi Ambitions

As Lyft prepares for its Dallas rollout, key questions remain, including the number of vehicles to be deployed and ride pricing. With competitors moving fast, Lyft will need to scale quickly and prove that its autonomous service can be both reliable and cost-effective. If successful, this launch could mark a major milestone in the future of driverless transportation.

Source: NEW ATLAS

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),” Lyft Plans to Launch Robotaxi Services in Dallas by 2026" , AnaTechmaz, pp.126