Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana described the company’s exclusive robotaxi deal with Uber as unpredictable for riders, leading Waymo to develop its own app for Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028. Meanwhile, Uber highlights higher robotaxi utilization on its platform and plans major autonomous fleet expansion.
- Waymo ends Uber exclusivity for robotaxis in Austin and Atlanta by 2028
- Uber sees 30% more robotaxi trips per vehicle on its platform versus manufacturers’ own apps
- Uber plans 2,000+ fully driverless cars by end of 2027, expanding global presence
What happened
Waymo’s co-chief executive Tekedra Mawakana acknowledged that the partnership with Uber for robotaxi rides amounted to a ‘crapshoot’ for riders, as availability was inconsistent and depended on nearby vehicle presence. The exclusivity meant riders in cities like Austin and Atlanta could only book Waymo robotaxis through Uber’s app, limiting user control and predictability.
Starting in January 2028, Waymo will phase out Uber’s exclusive access to its robotaxis in these cities and launch its own app, ensuring a direct customer relationship and consistent experience. This move reflects feedback from riders accustomed to Waymo’s direct booking app in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Uber highlighted in a recent earnings call that robotaxis on its platform earn more trips daily compared to when operated via the manufacturers’ own apps.
Why it matters
The shift away from exclusive partnerships toward autonomous fleet operators launching their own apps indicates a maturation of the robotaxi market where rider experience and app control are critical. For Waymo, fostering a direct connection with riders may enhance brand loyalty and tailor service improvements, positioning itself more competitively in urban regions beyond San Francisco.
At the same time, Uber’s data shows placing robotaxis on its app increases trip frequency by about 30%, improving fleet utilization and reducing per-trip costs. This allows Uber and its robotaxi partners to work towards profitable commercialization of autonomous ride services, a key objective as the company invests heavily in driverless technology across multiple partners globally.
What to watch next
Industry observers should look for how Waymo’s independent app rollout impacts market adoption and rider satisfaction in Austin and Atlanta, and whether this approach becomes a standard for other autonomous vehicle operators. The balance between centralized apps like Uber’s and manufacturer-owned apps will be a critical dynamic in the evolving autonomous mobility ecosystem.
On the platform side, Uber’s planned ramp-up to over 2,000 fully driverless vehicles by the end of 2027, including launches of new partners such as Amazon’s Zoox and Motional in Las Vegas, signals rapid growth in autonomous ride offerings. Monitoring fleet utilization, profitability, and consumer acceptance will be essential to understanding the future trajectory of robotaxi services.