Uber Partners Waymo To Launch Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service In Atlanta

Ride-sharing firm Uber Technologies has officially launched its autonomous vehicle service in Atlanta through its partnership with Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car division, says a report by news agency Reuters. The expansion marks the second major in the US market, following the successful deployment in Austin, Texas, which started in March.

Partnership Details

The autonomous ride-hailing service will operate across a 65-square-mile coverage area in Atlanta, using Waymo's fleet of self-driving vehicles accessible via the standard Uber mobile app. This strategic partnership, initially announced in September 2024, represents a significant milestone in commercial autonomous vehicle deployment.

Expansion Plans

The Atlanta launch will feature dozens of Waymo's fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, with plans for further fleet growth. Currently, Austin hosts 100 Waymo vehicles operating on the Uber platform. 

The company has indicated that the Atlanta fleet "will grow to hundreds" of vehicles over time, demonstrating their commitment to scaling the service, the report added.

Pricing Structure

Customers using the autonomous service will pay standard rates equivalent to UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric options. However, passengers will not be prompted to provide tips when using the self-driving vehicles, differentiating the experience from traditional ride-hailing services.

Competitive Landscape

The robotaxi industry is experiencing accelerated growth, with multiple companies advancing their autonomous vehicle programs. Tesla recently started limited autonomous taxi trials in Austin, while Waymo continues expanding its testing operations across multiple markets.

Geographic Limitations

The Atlanta service operates exclusively on surface streets, unlike Waymo's highway operations in California and Arizona, which currently serve employees rather than public customers. The company has announced plans to return to New York City next month for additional autonomous testing and has applied for operational permits in Manhattan.

Broader Market Presence

Waymo currently operates an extensive network of over 1,500 vehicles across four major markets: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The company reports completing more than 250,000 rides weekly across these locations, demonstrating significant market traction.

Uber's Shift In Autonomous Tech

Uber's current partnership approach represents a shift from its previous autonomous vehicle development efforts. The company divested its internal self-driving division in 2020 to reduce operational costs and refocus on core business operations, including ride-hailing and food delivery services.

This strategic shift followed a tragic incident in 2018 involving a pedestrian fatality during testing of Uber's self-driving technology. The backup safety driver behind the wheel of the Uber in the fatal crash pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to probation, prosecutors said.