Waymo and Uber Join Forces: Robotaxis Set to Launch in Austin and Atlanta by 2025

Waymo and Uber Expand Robotaxi Partnership to Austin and Atlanta

Waymo and Uber have announced plans to expand their robotaxi partnership to Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, beginning in early 2025. This move builds upon their existing collaboration in Phoenix, Arizona, but notably excludes California cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The expanded partnership will see Waymo’s autonomous vehicles available for hailing exclusively through Uber’s app in these new markets. Waymo’s own Waymo One app will not be operational in Austin and Atlanta, although the company is currently testing self-driving cars in both locations. In Austin, Waymo employees are already using the Waymo One app for early testing, with plans to invite limited early riders soon.

Under the partnership, Waymo and Uber will share responsibilities for operating the driverless ridehail vehicles. Uber will manage fleet services, including cleaning, repair, and depot operations, while Waymo will provide the driverless vehicles and handle roadside assistance and customer service. The companies will share costs and revenue, though specific details of the revenue split remain undisclosed.

This collaboration offers significant benefits to both parties. Waymo gains access to Uber’s extensive customer base, while Uber can offer its users a futuristic transportation option. Currently, Waymo operates its Waymo One service in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, achieving an impressive 100,000 rides weekly. Studies have shown that Waymo boasts better customer retention rates than both Uber and Lyft.

However, the robotaxi business faces challenges, including restrictions on travel areas and high hardware costs. Traditional ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft don’t face these limitations. Customer preferences can also shift rapidly based on factors such as wait times and travel restrictions.

The partnership between Waymo and Uber comes with a complex history. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber over alleged trade secret theft and patent infringement. The case was settled quickly, with Uber admitting to misappropriating Waymo’s technology. Despite this turbulent past, the companies have found common ground, with an ongoing partnership in autonomous long-haul trucking via Uber Freight.

As the autonomous vehicle landscape continues to evolve, this expanded partnership between Waymo and Uber represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of self-driving technology. The success of this venture in Austin and Atlanta could pave the way for further expansion and reshape the future of urban transportation.