Waymo is ending its multi-city partnership early to shift rider bookings to its proprietary smartphone app starting in January 2028. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana cited customer feedback showing demand for a dedicated robotaxi service rather than an uncertain mix with human drivers. In response, Uber told Bloomberg that Waymo had previously declined an app option allowing users to specifically request an autonomous vehicle. Uber maintained that it plans to support the autonomous vehicles on its platform as long as mutual agreements permit.
Key points
Direct consumer relationships are becoming the primary operational model for the autonomo…: Direct consumer relationships are becoming the primary operational model for the autonomous vehicle company across urban markets.
Rider uncertainty over receiving a human driver versus an autonomous vehicle accelerated…: Rider uncertainty over receiving a human driver versus an autonomous vehicle accelerated the decision to part ways.
Uber intends to continue hosting the autonomous vehicles on its network until the mutual…: Uber intends to continue hosting the autonomous vehicles on its network until the mutual agreement officially lapses.
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Waymo will start its split with Uber in the Austin and Atlanta markets starting in January 2028, co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana told Bloomberg News in a report published Wednesday.
The robotaxi company will offer rides directly through its own smartphone app, like it does in other cities. Uber told TechCrunch Wednesday that it still plans to host Waymo robotaxis on its app for as long as the two companies agree. Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mawakana’s comments confirm reporting earlier this year by the Financial Times that Waymo was looking to get out of its deal with Uber, which was set to expire in May 2028. Mawakana told Bloomberg that Waymo initially partnered with Uber because the ride-hail giant offered scale. But the experience for riders has been “a little bit of a crapshoot,” she said, especially because riders never know for sure if they’re going to hail a robotaxi or a human-driven car.
“It’s important for us to have that relationship with the rider. We’ve gotten that feedback from the riders in those markets,” Mawakana…
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