Waymo Confirms January 2028 Split With Uber in Austin and Atlanta, TechCrunch Reports
Partnership ends in 2028
The agreement was due to expire in May 2028. Mawakana’s comments confirm earlier Financial Times reporting that Waymo was seeking to leave the deal.
Why Waymo wants direct bookings
Mawakana said Waymo first partnered with Uber because the ride-hailing company offered scale. But riders have faced uncertainty over whether a trip would be in a robotaxi or a human-driven car. Mawakana described the experience as “a little bit of a crapshoot,” and said riders in those markets had asked for a closer relationship with Waymo.
Uber’s response
Uber told Bloomberg that Waymo chose not to add an option for booking a robotaxi directly in Uber’s app. Uber has partnerships with multiple robotaxi and other autonomous-vehicle companies. After the split, Waymo’s own app will be the way to book its rides in Austin and Atlanta, according to the report.
Key points
- Waymo plans to end its Uber partnership in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028.
- Waymo will offer rides in those markets through its own app.
- Tekedra Mawakana said riders want a direct relationship with Waymo.
- Uber said Waymo chose not to add robotaxi bookings to Uber’s app.