Waymo and Uber prepare to launch their robotaxi service in Atlanta this summer.
Uber is inviting users in Atlanta to sign up for a list if they wish to request a Waymo robotaxi, as both companies prepare to launch their commercial service.
Uber has begun inviting its users in Atlanta to sign up for a waitlist to request a Waymo robotaxi, as the two companies prepare to launch a commercial service in the city. Last September, they established a joint plan to offer this service in Atlanta and Austin starting in early 2025. Recently, in March, they initiated the "Waymo on Uber" offering in Austin, just a month after opening a list for interested users.
This summer, users in Atlanta will be able to access a robotaxi, with the service being divided between Uber and Waymo. Uber is responsible for charging, maintaining, and cleaning the autonomous vehicles, as well as managing access to them through its app. Meanwhile, Waymo oversees the technology and autonomous operations, including passenger assistance.
Under this agreement, only Uber users will be able to request the service from Waymo's autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. The relationship between the two companies has changed dramatically since 2018, when they competed in a lawsuit over alleged trade secret theft, which was resolved in February of that year. Since then, Waymo has made progress in developing and offering its service in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
After the lawsuit agreement, Uber continued operating its autonomous vehicle unit known as Uber ATG for two years before selling it through a complex deal in 2020. However, Uber has been strengthening its position in the robotaxi market through partnerships with autonomous vehicle developers, establishing agreements with 14 companies in this area.
Recently, the company launched robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, and Waymo's autonomous vehicles have been available on the Uber app in Phoenix since October 2023. Atlanta will soon join the list of cities where users can request a driverless vehicle, in an initial area covering 65 square miles, including neighborhoods like Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View, with plans for future expansion.
Users who sign up for the list will receive updates and a higher likelihood of accessing a robotaxi after the service launches. They may also have early access to Waymo rides before they are offered to the general public. To join, customers in Atlanta will need to update the app, go to "Account," then to "Settings," where they can select "Trip Preferences" and join the waitlist.
