Uber is gearing up to launch its robotaxi service in Atlanta and Austin. The service will allow users to hail Waymo’s autonomous robotaxis through Uber’s platform.
Tech news outlet TechCrunch reported that the two tech giants announced their partnership last September. Uber will take charge of vehicle charging, maintenance, cleaning, and app accessibility, while Waymo oversees the technological operations and passenger support. This partnership exclusively allows Uber users to summon Waymo’s autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
The Atlanta robotaxi service will cover a sprawling 65 square miles, encompassing key areas such as Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View, with plans to expand the operational zones in the future. Uber users can now pre-register for the service by updating their app and selecting the autonomous vehicle option.
This partnership marks a significant turnaround in the relationship between Uber and Waymo. The companies, which were previously embroiled in legal disputes, settled their lawsuit in 2018 and have since fostered a cooperative relationship. Uber sold its autonomous driving division to Aurora in 2020 and has been actively collaborating with various self-driving technology firms, such as Waymo, since then. Waymo is already offering robotaxi services in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand in other cities in the near future.
