Waymo to end Uber exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta in 2028

Waymo plans to end its exclusive Uber arrangement in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, when it intends to begin offering rides in those cities through its own app, co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said. The change would shift how riders in the two markets book Waymo vehicles. They currently access the autonomous rides exclusively through Uber’s platform, where customers can indicate a preference for a self-driving vehicle but may be matched with one only if it is nearby. Mawakana said the planned move followed customer feedback about the uncertainty of securing a Waymo through Uber. The company initially partnered with Uber because it offered scale, she said, but riders wanted a more consistent service through a single app. Waymo already offers rides through its own app in other markets. Uber said it had asked Waymo to add a dedicated robotaxi option to the Uber app for customers in Austin and Atlanta, making that type of trip easier to select, but Waymo declined. Waymo’s plan would therefore end the exclusive arrangement in the two cities while the companies give different accounts of a proposed booking option within Uber’s app. The partnership had been reported as due to expire in...