From TechCrunch · Sean O'Kane · · 1m 10s
Waymo to leave Uber and go solo in 2028
Waymo will end its partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, launching its own app instead.
In brief
Waymo will end its partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, launching its own app instead. Waymo will split from Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028, offering rides through its own app to improve rider experience. Originally reported by TechCrunch.
Waymo splits from Uber in January 2028
Waymo will officially end its partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028, co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana told Bloomberg News on Wednesday.
Waymo will launch its own app
The robotaxi company will offer rides directly through its own smartphone app, like it does in other cities, instead of through Uber's platform.
Rider confusion drove the split
Mawakana said the experience for riders has been a crapshoot because they never know if they will hail a robotaxi or a human-driven car. Waymo wants direct rider relationships.
“It's important for us to have that relationship with the rider. We've gotten that feedback from the riders in those markets.”
Waymo chose to leave, Uber says
Uber told Bloomberg that it was Waymo's idea not to add an option in Uber's app to book a robotaxi directly. The original deal was set to expire in May 2028.
At a glance
Waymo will split from Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028, offering rides through its own app to improve rider experience.
