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A Waymo robotaxi drives through downtown Austin on May 19. Waymo reportedly plans to operate independently in Austin after its partnership with Uber expires in 2028.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Austin riders will have to use a new app to hail the city’s most common\u00a0robotaxi\u00a0after Waymo\u2019s partnership with Uber<\/a> expires in 2028.<\/p>\n Waymo, the autonomous vehicle arm of Google parent Alphabet,\u00a0plans to operate independently in Austin once the agreement ends.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe in a vibrant and collaborative AV ecosystem that champions innovation and provides riders with a choice in how they experience this technology,\u201d spokesperson Chris Pappas said in a statement. \u201cThis is essential to the industry\u2019s future and to our vision of making the Waymo app and the safety of our technology available to riders everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n The split, first reported earlier this week, comes amid rising tensions between the two companies. Neither denied the report but both declined to provide details about their plans after the contract expires.<\/p>\n Waymo also operates through Uber in Atlanta but competes directly with the popular ride-hailing platform in most markets. Waymo, alongside Tesla Inc.<\/a> and other companies, has also been lobbying for relaxed autonomous vehicle regulations<\/a>, directly opposing Uber\u2019s own lobbying on the matter. The companies ended their partnership in Phoenix at the conclusion of their contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told investors Wednesday morning that the ride-hailing and delivery company expects to continue operating with Waymo in Austin and Atlanta next year, saying the \u201con-the-ground partnership continues to be very strong.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cAt the same time, we want to make sure that we\u2019re not dependent on one partner,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re absolutely seeing a plethora of newer players in the AV ecosystem, just like you see in the foundation model space. And while we continue to provide a great service with Waymo in Austin, Atlanta, we\u2019ll continue to build our services with our other players as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Unnamed sources told the Financial Times that the two companies clashed over the quality of service, often blaming each other for issues of cleanliness, availability and consumer complaints<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the potential end of its partnership with Waymo, Uber has been betting big on self-driving robotaxis. The company told investors Wednesday that it plans to commit more than $10 billion to \u201cbring AVs to market at scale.\u201d Despite revenue growth, its stock fell after bookings and earnings guidance trailed analysts\u2019 expectations.<\/p>\n Waymo’s growth comes with scrutiny<\/p>\n Waymo has operated through Uber in Austin since launching publicly in March 2025. The company has more than 300 self-driving vehicles in the city, easily making it the largest operator in Austin’s autonomous vehicle market.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Waymo has faced criticism for failing to\u00a0stop for school buses<\/a> or follow law enforcement orders and for obstructing first responders<\/a>, including during a shooting on West Sixth Street<\/a> earlier this year. In January, the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation<\/a> into Waymo\u2019s operations in Austin after its robotaxis were found to have illegally passed stopped school buses in the city.<\/p>\n Residents have also complained that Waymo’s vehicles drive erratically, make too much noise and otherwise create nuisances.\u00a0A temporary\u00a0charging station near Lady Bird Lake<\/a> also drew criticism for loud generators. Waymo referred questions on the matter to Uber.\u00a0<\/p>\n Waymo robotaxis charge near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake in Austin on May 26.<\/p>\n Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n The initial partnership with Waymo was promising for Uber, which sold its in-house robotaxi arm in 2020. The ride-hailing company has committed more than $10 billion in the last year to robotaxi fleet agreements, including one with\u00a0Tesla competitor\u00a0Rivian<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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