Austin Uber users might notice a new feature on their app when booking a ride: an option to express their interest in a Waymo robotaxi.
Currently, this feature doesn’t mean Waymo will pick them up just yet, but that will change soon.
The “interest list,” which was launched on Wednesday, is part of a collaborative effort between Uber and Waymo to introduce a robotaxi service in both Austin and Atlanta by early 2025. Although the service is expected to kick off soon in Austin, neither company has disclosed an exact start date. Additionally, a new co-branded robotaxi design was unveiled.
The “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi initiative marks the latest chapter in Uber’s renewed focus on autonomous vehicle technology. In a significant shift, Uber sold its autonomous vehicle unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora in December 2020. Ironically, Uber and Waymo were once fierce competitors, embroiled in lawsuits over accusations that Uber had misappropriated trade secrets from Waymo (then part of Google/Alphabet, which continues to hold a majority stake) — these legal conflicts eventually resulted in a settlement.
In recent years, Uber has been strengthening its foothold in the burgeoning robotaxi sector. The company has forged partnerships with 14 different autonomous vehicle firms, encompassing ride-hailing, delivery, and freight services, with several already operational. Last December, Uber commenced robotaxi services with WeRide in Abu Dhabi, and since October 2023, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have been accessible through the Uber app in Phoenix.
However, the collaboration with Waymo in Austin and Atlanta will be more exclusive.
Through this partnership, only Uber users will be able to summon Waymo’s fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Waymo has previously operated its fleet in Phoenix and is now transitioning that role to Moove. Uber will take charge of the charging, maintenance, and cleaning of these autonomous vehicles, as well as managing users’ access to them via the app. Waymo will continue to oversee the technology and autonomous operations, including rider support.
Waymo’s robotaxis will serve customers within a 37-square-mile area of Austin, which encompasses downtown, Hyde Park, and Montopolis. The companies have indicated plans to expand this coverage area. Initially, the Waymo robotaxi fleet will be smaller, though Uber has not disclosed specific numbers, with plans to eventually deploy hundreds of vehicles across both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years.
Uber stated that passengers matched with a Waymo vehicle will incur the same fare as traditional options such as UberX or Uber Comfort.
Customers who register for the “interest list” will receive notifications from Uber and enhance their chances of being matched with a Waymo autonomous vehicle at launch. To opt into this, Uber users in Austin are required to update their app, navigate to settings, and select ride preferences, where they should find an option for autonomous vehicles.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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