Waymo and Uber’s joint robotaxi service is now officially live in Atlanta, the companies announced. The “Waymo on Uber” program, already operational in Austin, initially covers roughly 65 square miles within the city limits of Atlanta.
This expansion marks a significant step forward for both firms. Uber currently collaborates with 18 autonomous vehicle providers and reports approximately 1.5 million annual self-driving mobility and delivery trips across its network. Waymo, meanwhile, delivers around 250,000 weekly paid robotaxi rides in various cities, including Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Adding Atlanta will considerably boost these totals.
A Waymo spokesperson indicated that the initial Atlanta fleet numbers in the dozens, with plans underway for gradual growth. Previously, the companies disclosed intentions to ultimately expand their combined autonomous fleet across Austin and Atlanta into the hundreds.
Unlike Waymo’s standalone services in other cities, the “Waymo on Uber” rides integrate seamlessly within Uber’s existing platform, allowing riders to hail robotaxis alongside human-driven vehicles. Within the Uber app, users can adjust their preferences, increasing their likelihood of matching with an autonomous vehicle.
Once notified that they’ve matched to a Waymo vehicle, riders retain the option to either accept the automated ride or switch to a traditional, driver-operated car. Robotaxis will cost the same as fares in UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric categories.
Additionally, passengers use the standard Uber app to unlock the robotaxi, access the trunk, and initiate their trip. This integrated approach differentiates the Atlanta and Austin markets from Waymo’s other locations, where users typically use a dedicated robotaxi app for booking.
The partnership divides fleet-management responsibilities between the two companies. Uber oversees the charging, cleaning, and general maintenance of the vehicles, in addition to managing rider access through its app. Waymo, for its part, focuses on autonomous technology monitoring, roadside assistance, and certain passenger support functions.
The companies initially unveiled their expanded robotaxi service plans for Austin and Atlanta last September, following up with the Austin launch in March this year. Currently, Waymo boasts over 100 autonomous vehicles actively serving customers in Austin alone.
