Waymo to End Uber Robotaxi Deal in Austin and Atlanta in 2028
Waymo will leave Uber in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, moving robotaxi bookings to its own app before their deal's May 2028 expiry, for direct service.
Summary
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana confirmed on November 4, 2026, that the robotaxi company will separate from Uber in Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028. Waymo will offer rides through its own smartphone app, as it does in other cities. The move confirms Waymo had been seeking an early exit from an agreement scheduled to expire in May 2028.
Waymo initially chose Uber for its scale, but Mawakana said riders found the experience inconsistent because they could not know whether Uber would dispatch a robotaxi or human-driven car. Rider feedback persuaded Waymo that it needed a direct customer relationship. Uber, which has multiple robotaxi and autonomous vehicle partners, said Waymo rejected adding a dedicated robotaxi booking option to Uber's app.
Positives
- January 2028 direct bookings will give Waymo the rider relationship customers requested in Austin and Atlanta.
- Waymo's own app will offer robotaxi rides directly, unlike Uber bookings that may dispatch either a robotaxi or human-driven car.
- Uber's multiple robotaxi and autonomous vehicle partnerships reduce its dependence on Waymo after the split.
Risks & concerns
- Austin and Atlanta riders currently cannot know whether an Uber booking will bring a Waymo robotaxi or human-driven car.
- January 2028 separation ends the partnership four months before its scheduled May 2028 expiration.
- Waymo will surrender the Uber scale that initially motivated the partnership in both markets.
- Uber says Waymo rejected a dedicated robotaxi option, exposing disagreement over responsibility for the inconsistent booking experience.