Uber Expands Waymo Driverless Rides to Atlanta

Uber Technologies Inc. has launched driverless Waymo rides in Atlanta, marking its second city partnership with the autonomous vehicle maker after the initial launch in Austin. The service will initially cover approximately 65 square miles, stretching from downtown through Buckhead to Capitol View, with plans to expand as more of Waymo’s self-driving Jaguar I-PACE vehicles are added to the platform.

This expansion follows Uber's earlier addition of an option in its app allowing riders to express interest in autonomous rides. Passengers can still switch to a human-driven vehicle at any point before their trip begins, ensuring flexibility and safety. The collaboration between Uber and Waymo began in Phoenix in 2023, where they offered both passenger trips and deliveries. In cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Waymo operates a direct-to-consumer app, but in Austin and Atlanta, Uber remains the exclusive platform for summoning Waymo’s all-electric SUVs.

Uber's strategy involves leveraging its popular app and matching algorithm to attract enough customers to cover the costs of self-driving cars. However, Waymo currently operates around 1,500 self-driving cars, which is significantly fewer than the pool of human drivers Uber can draw on in its major markets. Analysts have expressed concerns that if Waymo does not expand beyond Austin and Atlanta, Uber’s ambitions in the autonomous space could face challenges.

Currently, about 100 Waymo vehicles are active on Uber in Austin, with plans to scale up to several hundred robotaxis serving both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years. This move comes amidst rising competition in the robotaxi market. Lyft Inc. is planning to launch its own autonomous service in partnership with Toyota-backed May Mobility Inc. as early as this summer, while Amazon’s Zoox Inc. has been testing driverless vehicles around downtown streets. Additionally, Tesla opened its own self-driving taxi service in Austin, charging a flat fee of $4.20 per trip with an employee onboard for safety.

Uber's success in Atlanta could influence investor opinion, as the company has forged more than a dozen autonomous-vehicle alliances globally. The launch of Waymo's robotaxi service in Atlanta is a significant step forward in the adoption of autonomous ride-hailing services, demonstrating the potential for driverless options to become a mainstream mode of transportation. The collaboration between Uber and Waymo aims to leverage Waymo's advanced technology with Uber's extensive platform, providing passengers with a seamless and innovative transportation experience. This development could pave the way for similar initiatives in other cities, further solidifying the partnership between Uber and Waymo.