Waymo and Uber have announced an expanded partnership to launch autonomous ride-hailing services in Austin and Atlanta.
From early 2025, Uber will integrate a fleet of Waymo’s fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles into its app in these locations.
Over time, the fleet in these cities is expected to grow to hundreds of vehicles.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo said:Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver, and we’re excited to launch this expanded network and operations partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta to bring the benefits of fully autonomous driving to more riders.
The Waymo One autonomous service, which has already proven successful in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, delivers over 100,000 trips each week.
The partnership will now extend the benefits of autonomous driving to Uber users in Austin and Atlanta, providing a convenient and safe transportation option.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber said:We’re thrilled to build on our successful partnership with Waymo, which has already powered fully autonomous trips for tens of thousands of riders in Phoenix. Soon, riders in Austin and Atlanta will be able to experience that same mobility magic, through a new fleet of dedicated autonomous Waymo vehicles, available only on Uber.
Under the expanded partnership, Uber will manage fleet operations, including vehicle cleaning, repair, and depot services, while Waymo will focus on the testing and operation of its autonomous driving technology, providing roadside assistance and some rider support functions.
Waymo has already started offering fully autonomous rides to employees in Austin, with plans to invite early riders through the Waymo One app soon.
By early 2025, the public will be able to access the service in Austin and Atlanta through the Uber app, with a gradual rollout throughout the year.
