Waymo robotaxis launch on Uber in Austin and Atlanta, early 2025
- Uber will begin dispatching Waymo's robotaxis in Austin and Atlanta in early 2025.
- This partnership follows a previous collaboration in Phoenix and comes after a history of legal disputes between the two companies.
- The alliance aims to enhance market presence and revenue generation for Waymo while diversifying Uber's fleet.
Uber has announced a partnership with Waymo to deploy robotaxis in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta starting in early 2025. This collaboration marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two companies, which had previously been embroiled in legal disputes over trade secrets. The alliance builds on a prior partnership established in Phoenix, indicating a willingness to move past their contentious history. Waymo's robotaxis, which have been successfully operating in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, will now be integrated into Uber's existing app. This strategic move allows Waymo to expand its market presence more rapidly while leveraging Uber's established user base. The decision comes as Uber seeks to diversify its fleet, which will also include driverless cars from General Motors' Cruise subsidiary. Despite the challenges faced by Cruise, including a suspension of its license in California due to a serious incident, Waymo has maintained a strong safety record with no major accidents reported. This reliability positions Waymo favorably as it aims to generate revenue for its parent company, Alphabet Inc., which has been experiencing significant operating losses in its 'Other Bets' division. The partnership signifies a remarkable turnaround from the past animosity, culminating in a $245 million settlement in 2018 over allegations of technology theft. With this new collaboration, both companies are poised to benefit from advancements in autonomous vehicle technology while addressing the growing demand for ride-hailing services.