Uber and Waymo, the driverless arm of Google’s parent company Alphabet, have announced a partnership to bring self-driving rides to Austin and Atlanta. Starting in 2025, Uber will manage and dispatch Waymo’s fleet of fully autonomous vehicles through the Uber app. This collaboration aims to provide riders with the opportunity to choose a driverless ride when they book a trip.
Waymo’s co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, expressed excitement about the expanded network and operations partnership with Uber, stating that it will bring the benefits of fully autonomous driving to more riders. Under this agreement, Uber will handle tasks like vehicle cleaning and repair, while Waymo will continue to be responsible for testing and operating the Waymo Driver, including roadside assistance and certain rider support functions.
Currently, Waymo is conducting testing in Austin, and interested members of the public in both Austin and Atlanta can join an interest list to be notified when the service becomes available. For now, only Waymo employees can hail fully autonomous rides in Austin, but in the coming weeks, a limited number of early riders will be welcomed via the Waymo One app before transitioning to the Uber app next year.
In Atlanta, autonomous rides for the public will begin in early 2025 through the Uber app. Waymo already operates fully autonomous rides in the San Francisco and Phoenix areas, providing over 100,000 trips each week. To hail a fully autonomous Waymo ride in Phoenix, users can download the Waymo One app, while in San Francisco, they can also use the Waymo One app without needing to join a waitlist.
Waymo has faced some pushback as it expands to more cities, with a few high-profile collisions involving its vehicles. However, Waymo states that its autonomous Waymo Driver has been up to 3.5 times better at avoiding crashes causing injuries and 2 times better at avoiding police-reported crashes compared to human drivers in San Francisco and Phoenix. Waymo has also released a data hub detailing its efforts to improve road safety using its technology.
The partnership between Uber and Waymo provides an exciting opportunity for riders in Austin and Atlanta to experience autonomous rides through the Uber app. Waymo’s track record in Phoenix and San Francisco demonstrates the potential of self-driving technology to safely navigate city streets. As Waymo continues to expand its service and enhance its driverless technology, the future of autonomous rides looks promising.
Hailing a ride in Phoenix and San Francisco
Phoenix was the first city to offer fully autonomous Waymo rides to the public. Users can download the Waymo One app and request a ride without needing to join a waitlist. The service operates 24/7. In addition, users in Phoenix can use the Uber app to summon Waymo’s vehicles when booking an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride.
In San Francisco, Waymo launched its fully autonomous rides in late 2022. Users can download the Waymo One app and ride anytime without needing to join a waitlist. Waymo also expanded its service into the San Francisco Peninsula, covering 55 square miles in the Bay Area.
Hailing a ride in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, users need to join a waitlist to catch a ride with Waymo. They can download the Waymo One app and create an account, and Waymo will reach out when it’s their turn. If users have an invite code, they can enter it in the app to start hailing rides. Waymo’s service in LA covers 79 square miles of LA county.
The road ahead for Waymo
Waymo recently unveiled the sixth generation of its self-driving technology, which aims to expand the capabilities of its driverless fleet. Smarter sensors will help the cars navigate extreme weather conditions. The updated technology is still being tested and will be available to riders soon.
Currently, Waymo vehicles can’t travel on highways and freeways with everyday riders. However, the company is testing fully autonomous rides on freeways in Phoenix, as seen in an exclusive video shared with CNET. Waymo is also exploring autonomous trucking but has scaled back those efforts to focus on ride-hailing with Waymo One.
In conclusion, the partnership between Uber and Waymo brings us one step closer to a future where self-driving rides are readily available. By leveraging the expertise of both companies, riders in Austin and Atlanta will soon have the option to choose a driverless ride through the Uber app. Waymo’s existing service in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles demonstrates the progress and potential of autonomous driving technology. As Waymo continues to improve its driverless technology and expand its services, the safety and convenience of autonomous rides will only increase.
