Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle division, is reportedly seeking to terminate its agreement with ride-hailing giant Uber in the US cities of Austin and Atlanta. This development would mark a significant shift in the operational strategy for Waymo's robotaxi services in these key American urban centres.
According to reports, Waymo has informed Uber of its intention to launch its own dedicated application for robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta, commencing in January 2028. This new offering would initially run alongside the existing arrangement with Uber, before the current contract between the two companies for these markets is set to expire in May 2028.
This potential separation follows a similar move earlier this year when Waymo and Uber concluded their partnership in Phoenix, Arizona. The reported decision comes amidst a period of increasing friction between the two technology firms, which has included public commentary from Uber executives regarding the performance of Waymo's autonomous vehicles.
Earlier this year, Uber's Chief Technology Officer, Praveen Neppalli, reportedly shared a video online highlighting what he described as 'unsafe' and 'scary' behaviour from a Waymo robotaxi. Furthermore, in May, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, during an earnings call, subtly criticised the conduct of robotaxis, particularly in sensitive areas like school zones and during emergency situations, though he did not explicitly name Waymo at the time.
Beyond operational concerns, Waymo and Uber have also found themselves on opposing sides in various policy debates surrounding the regulation of robotaxis. These disagreements underscore a broader competitive landscape within the burgeoning autonomous vehicle industry, as companies vie for market share and influence over future regulatory frameworks.