Waymo plans to end its ride-hailing partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting in January 2028. The autonomous driving company will offer rides in both cities through its own app, as it does in other markets.
Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said Waymo initially partnered with Uber to reach more riders. But booking through a service that offers both robotaxis and human-driven cars can make it unclear which type of ride a customer will receive, she noted.
Moving bookings to Waymo's app would give the company a more direct relationship with riders and make its autonomous service easier to identify. The shift also means the companies' arrangement will end before its scheduled May 2028 expiration.
As autonomous ride services expand, direct booking could help companies create more consistent experiences and build stronger connections with customers.
