Waymo and Uber's Robotaxi Partnership Is Ending
Waymo will exit its exclusive deal in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028 to serve riders via its own app.
Waymo is set to end its exclusive partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta, transitioning to serving riders through its own dedicated app starting in January 2028.
What Happened
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana announced that the company will exit its partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta beginning in January 2028. Currently, driverless Waymo rides in these cities are only accessible via the Uber app. Mawakana cited the inability of the Uber app to guarantee a driverless ride as a primary reason for the split, noting that riders are often matched with human drivers if no Waymo vehicles are nearby. Although Uber offered to add a dedicated robotaxi ride option to improve matching, Waymo declined. The company stated that the early-stage partnership was "a little bit of a crapshoot" and that customers now demand a more consistent experience.
Why It Matters
The shift marks a significant strategic pivot for Waymo, which will now operate in Austin and Atlanta the same way it does in over two dozen other U.S. cities, effectively making Uber a direct competitor in these markets. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, currently conducts over 500,000 paid driverless trips weekly and is operational in 15 U.S. cities with plans to expand. This move reflects Waymo's growing confidence in its scale and brand recognition. Meanwhile, Uber continues to pursue its own robotaxi ambitions, aiming to have 700 robotaxis online by the end of this year and 2,000 by the end of 2027, leveraging partnerships with companies like Rivian and Lucid. Waymo remains partnered with Lyft in Nashville, though that arrangement is not exclusive.
The Bottom Line
Waymo will operate independently in Austin and Atlanta via its own app starting January 2028, ending its exclusive tie-up with Uber as it seeks to provide a more consistent driverless experience for its growing user base.
