Waymo will end its exclusive robotaxi partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting in January 2028, allowing the autonomous driving company to offer rides directly through its own app in both cities, Bloomberg reported.
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana told Bloomberg that the decision reflects growing customer demand for a more consistent driverless ride-hailing experience. Under the current arrangement, passengers requesting autonomous rides through Uber may still be matched with human drivers if no Waymo vehicle is available nearby.
Inconsistent Booking Experience Drives Decision
The existing partnership allows Uber users in Austin and Atlanta to access Waymo’s driverless vehicles through the Uber app. However, selecting an autonomous ride does not guarantee that a robotaxi will be assigned.
Mawakana said the arrangement created an unpredictable experience for customers, particularly as Waymo expands its fleet and operations.
“In the early days, we would partner because we didn’t have the scale,” Mawakana told Bloomberg.
She also described the booking experience as inconsistent, noting that customers increasingly expect greater certainty when requesting driverless transportation.
Uber proposed introducing a dedicated robotaxi booking option within its app to make it easier for passengers to access Waymo vehicles. However, Waymo declined the proposal.
From January 2028, customers in Austin and Atlanta will instead be able to request Waymo rides directly through the company’s dedicated application.
Uber and Waymo Prepare for Direct Competition
The decision will change the relationship between the two companies in Austin and Atlanta, where Uber currently serves as Waymo’s exclusive ride-hailing distribution partner.
The partnership initially provided Waymo with access to Uber’s established customer base, as well as experience in ride-hailing operations, fleet management and logistics. The arrangement helped Waymo expand its commercial robotaxi services without relying entirely on its own passenger-booking platform.
Ending the partnership will give Waymo greater control over customer interactions and ride bookings while positioning it as a more direct competitor to Uber in both markets.
Waymo Continues Expanding Robotaxi Operations
Waymo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet, has been expanding its commercial autonomous ride-hailing business across the United States.
The company currently provides more than 500,000 paid driverless trips each week and operates in 15 U.S. cities. It also plans to enter more than a dozen additional markets in the coming months.
The transition to independent operations in Austin and Atlanta reflects Waymo’s broader expansion strategy as its dedicated passenger service becomes more established.
Waymo has become a leading operator in the U.S. robotaxi market, competing with companies including Tesla as autonomous ride-hailing services expand across the country.
By moving away from Uber in the two cities, Waymo will rely more heavily on its own customer platform as it continues developing its driverless transportation network.