Uber users in Austin now have a choice between a Waymo robotaxi and a human driver.
The two companies officially launched Tuesday the “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi service in Austin as part of a partnership that has deepened in recent months. The launch comes just days before SXSW, the annual tech, music, film, and comedy conference, kicks off in Austin.
Starting today, Uber users who hail a ride may be matched with a Waymo robotaxi. Users will still be able to opt for the human-driven vehicle, and not the robotaxi, according to Uber. And both options will be priced the same.
Uber customers who want to boost their chances of getting matched with a Waymo can opt in via the “ride preferences” section of their Uber app under “settings.”
Uber and Waymo didn’t reveal how many robotaxis would be in the Austin fleet.
The companies did share the fleet of Waymo AVs, will grow to hundreds of vehicles across both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years.
Waymo and Uber, once bitter rivals, have been on more amiable terms in recent years. Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have been available on the Uber app in Phoenix since October 2023. And the two companies expanded the partnership last year with plans to launch a more exclusive “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta in 2025. (Atlanta has yet to launch.)
The structure of the “Waymo on Uber” service forecasts how each company envisions its role in the nascent autonomous vehicle industry.
Under the arrangement, Waymo will be responsible for vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and certain aspects of rider support. Uber will manage the fleet services such as vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot operations through a company called Moove Cars, which is rebranding to Avomo. In 2021, Uber acquired a 30% minority interest in the European company Moove Cars — not to be mistaken with Moove, which coincidentally is managing Waymo’s AV fleet in Phoenix.
Until 2020, Uber was developing its own autonomous vehicles technology via its Uber ATG business. After several controversies, including a lawsuit with Waymo and a fatal crash involving an autonomous test vehicle, the ride-hailing company divested Uber ATG in a complex deal with Aurora.
Uber eventually settled its suits with Waymo; a few years later the two companies would come together on friendlier terms.
Uber has spent the past couple of years shoring up its position in the emerging robotaxi market by locking in partnerships with companies like Waymo.
Uber has partnered with 14 autonomous vehicle companies that cover ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking — a handful of which are operating commercially. In December, Uber launched robotaxi rides with WeRide in Abu Dhabi. The company also has commercial deals with sidewalk delivery bot companies Avride, Cartken, and Serve Robotics