The Uber app is now offering rides on Waymo robotaxis, marking the first time the ride-hailing giant has ventured into autonomous travel since relinquishing its own robotaxi ambitions.
Uber has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Waymo, unleashing robotaxi rides available to passengers opting for UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric categories. This service, made possible when the vehicle is available within a service area, went live in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Users now have the option to embrace the future of transportation or stick with a human-driven experience by simply adjusting their app settings, with those favoring autonomy being presented with robotaxis more frequently.
Much like conventional Uber rides, the fare for a Waymo robotaxi journey will be determined in advance. To access the ride, passengers need only tap a dedicated button in the Uber app to unlock the vehicle, and another to commence the driverless journey.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, emphasized, “Expect the number of human drivers and driverless cars on the Uber platform to grow side-by-side for a long time to come as we continue to scale a hybrid global network that connects both modes.”
Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, has been offering autonomous rides in Phoenix since 2020. However, this new partnership with Uber is expected to significantly expand their customer base. Waymo’s robotaxis currently complete over 10,000 trips in the Phoenix metropolitan area every week, underlining the growing acceptance of driverless technology.
Waymo’s recent permit to operate fully in San Francisco positions the company for an even greater edge in the autonomous vehicle race, particularly in light of recent setbacks experienced by its competitor, Cruise. Cruise had its permit revoked due to a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian, providing Waymo with a unique opportunity to dominate the driverless ride-sharing market.
