Austin Uber users can now choose between Waymo Robotaxi and human drivers.
The companies officially launched Austin’s “Waymo on Uber” Robotaxi service on Tuesday. The release comes days before SXSW’s annual conference on technology, music, film and comedy begins in Austin.
Starting today, Uber users who are evoking rides may match the Waymo Robotaxi. According to Uber, users can choose a human-driven vehicle rather than a human-driven vehicle. Also, both options are priced the same.
Uber customers who want to increase their chances of matching Waymo can opt-in to the “Ride Preidences” section of the Uber app under Settings.
Uber and Waymo did not reveal the number of Robotaxis in the Austin Fleet.
The company shared that the Waymo AVS fleet will grow to hundreds of vehicles in both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years.
Once bitter rivals, Waymo and Uber have become more friendly in recent years. Waymo’s self-driving cars have been available on Phoenix’s Uber app since October 2023. The two expanded their partnership last year with plans to launch a more exclusive “Waymo on Uber” Robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta in 2025 (Atlanta hasn’t been released yet).
The structure of “Uber’s Waymo” services predicts how each company envisions its role in the early autonomous vehicle industry.
Under the arrangement, Waymo will be responsible for certain aspects of vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and rider support. Uber manages fleet services such as vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspection, charging and depot operations through a company called Moove Cars, which is rebranded as Avomo. In 2021, Uber won 30% minority profits on European companies’ move cars. This can’t be mistaken for a move that manages the Phoenix Waymo AV fleet.
Until 2020, Uber developed its own autonomous vehicle technology through the Uber ATG business. After several controversies, including a lawsuit with Waymo and a fatal crash involving an autonomous test vehicle, the ride company sold the Uber ATG in a complicated deal with Aurora.
Uber eventually calmed down his suit with Waymo. In a few years, the two companies will gather together in more friendly terms.
Uber has reinforced its position in the emerging Robotaxi market for the past few years by working with companies like Waymo to lock it up.
Uber has partnered with 14 self-driving vehicle companies covering ride, delivery and trucking. In December, Uber launched a wide range of Robotaxi vehicles in Abu Dhabi. The company also has commercial transactions with sidewalk delivery bot companies.
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