Waymo to End Exclusive Deal with Uber in Austin and Atlanta from January 2028

Image: TechCrunch · Source

Waymo will start offering autonomous rides directly via its own app in Austin and Atlanta, ending exclusivity with Uber and creating direct competition, according to company co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana.

Waymo has announced it will change its autonomous vehicle partnership with Uber in the Austin and Atlanta markets beginning January 2028. This shift will end Waymo's exclusivity with Uber in those cities and allow Waymo to offer robotaxi rides directly to customers through its own smartphone app, as it does in other locations.

Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana explained that Waymo initially partnered exclusively with Uber to leverage its scale, but rider feedback indicated the experience was inconsistent, as customers were unsure whether they were hailing a robotaxi or a human-driven vehicle. By providing a direct booking channel, Waymo aims to establish a clearer, more reliable relationship with riders.

Uber confirmed it will continue to host Waymo robotaxis within its app for as long as the companies agree, but noted that initiating direct robotaxi bookings in Uber’s app was Waymo’s decision. This change, reported by Bloomberg and TechCrunch, follows earlier Financial Times reports about Waymo’s intention to exit the exclusive agreement set to expire in May 2028.

The new arrangement will set up direct competition between Waymo and Uber’s network in Austin and Atlanta, where Uber maintains partnerships with multiple autonomous vehicle providers.

Waymo did not immediately respond to further inquiries, but the move reflects evolving strategies in the autonomous ride-hailing market by companies aiming to enhance user experience and control over their robotic fleet deployments.