The amazement was instant. Members of the Cuban podcast Fuera De Serie hopped into a Waymo vehicle in Miami, capturing their real-time reactions as the driverless car started, navigated the streets, and reached its destination without any human intervention at the wheel. The video, uploaded to TikTok on July 13, quickly garnered over 50,000 views within just a few days.
What astonished the group the most—tagged as Wendy, @ClaudiaG96, and @elmiki93—was the complete absence of human action before the journey began. "You didn't check the mirror or anything, you went all crazy," one of them remarked as the car began its autonomous journey.
Inside the Autonomous Experience
While inside, the passengers discovered that the vehicle offered more control than anticipated. "In the app, you can connect to Spotify and play whatever music you want, adjust the volume, control the air conditioning, and set the temperature," one of them explained during the ride.
The interior screen continuously displayed the speed, route map, and remaining battery life. At that moment, the display indicated an impressive 53,000 miles of autonomy. The vehicle moved through an area with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour, never exceeding it, which further intrigued the group: "This is a 35 zone, and it's not exceeding it, kid, what are you going to do?"
Waymo's Expansion and Impact
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company under Alphabet—Google's parent company—officially launched its service in Miami on January 22, 2026, initially for a select group of users, before opening it to the general public without a waitlist on April 15 of the same year.
Miami thus became the sixth U.S. city where the robotaxi operates commercially, following Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin. The coverage area spans about 100 square miles of Miami-Dade County, including Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and Bal Harbour.
A New Travel Option for Cuban Communities
The service operates similarly to Uber or Lyft: users book a ride via the Waymo One app, receive an estimated fare before confirming, unlock the vehicle with their phone upon arrival, and pay digitally at the end. Tipping is not allowed since there's no human driver.
Prices are typically higher than those of competitors—2026 reports noted fare differences of around $10 for certain trips—though in June 2026, the company launched a Premier subscription plan for $29.99 per month for frequent users.
The coverage area includes Little Havana and other neighborhoods with a significant Cuban population, making the service an especially intriguing novelty for the Island's community residing in South Florida. The podcast video reflects this genuine reaction: a blend of surprise, humor, and Cuban slang in response to a technology that, despite being available in Miami since January, remains a novel experience for many residents, particularly recent arrivals.
Common Questions About Autonomous Taxis in Miami
How does the Waymo autonomous taxi service work in Miami?
Users request a ride through the Waymo One app, receive a fare estimate, unlock the vehicle with their phone, and pay digitally at the end of the trip. The service operates without a human driver, so no tipping is involved.
What areas does the Waymo service cover in Miami?
Waymo's service in Miami covers about 100 square miles of Miami-Dade County, including key areas like Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and Bal Harbour.
Are Waymo's autonomous taxis more expensive than other ride-sharing services?
Yes, the fares are generally higher than those of competitors like Uber or Lyft, with reports indicating differences of around $10 for certain routes. However, Waymo offers a Premier subscription plan for frequent users.