Waymo has announced plans to terminate its partnership with Uber in the Austin and Atlanta markets. The separation is scheduled to take effect in January 2028, several months before the original agreement was set to expire in May 2028.
Following the split, Waymo will transition to providing ride-hailing services exclusively through its proprietary mobile application. This model aligns with the company's operations in other cities where it currently offers robotaxi services.
Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that the initial collaboration with Uber was intended to leverage the platform's scale. However, the company determined that direct interaction with riders is essential to improve the user experience and eliminate uncertainty regarding vehicle types.
Uber noted that the decision to exclude a dedicated robotaxi booking option within its platform originated from Waymo. The ride-hailing giant continues to maintain partnerships with various other autonomous vehicle providers.
