Waymo confirms it will split with Uber in January 2028
The split will set up direct competition in those markets, as Uber has many other autonomous vehicle partners on its network.
Waymo, the robotaxi company, announced on Wednesday it will separate from Uber starting in January 2028, Bloomberg News reported. The split will take effect in Austin and Atlanta markets, where Waymo will offer rides through its own smartphone app instead of through Uber's app, similar to its operations in other cities. This news confirms earlier reports by the Financial Times that Waymo had been considering leaving its deal with Uber, which was set to end in May 2028.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, stated that the company initially partnered with Uber for its scale, but the unpredictability of the rides, often mixing robotaxis with human-driven cars, left riders with an inconsistent experience. Mawakana emphasized the importance of having a reliable connection with riders, a feedback received directly from users in those markets.
In response, Uber said Waymo proposed not including a direct robotaxi booking option within Uber's app, a suggestion Waymo agreed with.
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