Uber is inviting Atlanta residents to express their interest in hailing Waymo robotaxis as the two companies gear up to launch a commercial service this summer. The move is part of a collaboration announced in September 2023, which aims to expand their partnership to include robotaxi services in both Austin and Atlanta by early 2025.
Earlier this year, the “Waymo on Uber” service was introduced in Austin, providing a glimpse into how the partnership operates. Uber is responsible for the maintenance, charging, and cleaning of the driverless vehicles, while Waymo oversees the technology and autonomous driving functions, ensuring a seamless rider experience.
The upcoming service will only be available to Uber users who will have the opportunity to hail Waymo’s fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. This partnership marks a significant turnaround for both companies, especially considering their tumultuous past; back in 2018, they were embroiled in a lawsuit where Uber was accused of stealing Waymo’s trade secrets, which was settled that same year.
Since the settlement, Waymo has continued to enhance its technology and successfully operate a commercial robotaxi service in Phoenix. It has since expanded its offerings to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Conversely, Uber has navigated a more complex path, having initially developed its own autonomous vehicle division, Uber ATG, before selling it in December 2020. Recently, the rideshare giant has focused on forming alliances with various autonomous vehicle companies—14 in total—to bolster its presence in the robotaxi sphere. This has included recent launches in international markets, such as Abu Dhabi.
With the service launching in Atlanta, the initial operational area will span 65 square miles, including popular districts like Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View, with plans for future expansions.
Uber is encouraging potential riders to join an interest list to receive updates and potentially gain early access to Waymo rides prior to the full public rollout. To join, Atlanta customers can update their Uber app, navigate to “Account” and “Settings,” and select “Ride Preferences” to indicate their interest in autonomous vehicles.
As the launch approaches, Atlanta residents can look forward to joining the growing trend of hailing driverless cars, positioning the city as another player in the expanding landscape of autonomous transport services.
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