Business news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Waymo co-CEO addresses scrapped Uber deal as rivalry between rideshare giants heats up: ‘It was a crapshoot’
Waymo plans to end its exclusive Uber robotaxi partnerships in Atlanta and Austin, saying riders want a more consistent way to book its self-driving cars. The change, scheduled for January 2028, will let Waymo offer rides in those cities through its own app and signals intensifying competition between robotaxi operators and ride-hailing platforms.
Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said that when booking through Uber, customers faced a “crapshoot” over whether they would get a Waymo, even if they requested an autonomous vehicle. Waymo operates about 4,000 vehicles across 14 US cities and completes more than 500,000 trips a week; it aims to double its fleet by year-end, supported by a reported $5 billion loan. The company is also trying to manage high operating costs while expanding, and says improving the rider experience matters more than competing to offer the lowest price.
In short
- Waymo will end its Uber deals in Atlanta and Austin in January 2028.
- Riders will be able to book through Waymo’s own app.
- The company aims to double its roughly 4,000-car fleet by year-end.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Waymo can argue that ending exclusivity gives riders a clearer, more reliable way to request its cars and lets the company shape the full service experience. Building its own booking channel may also help it develop a sustainable business as it expands and manages high operating costs.
The case against
Uber can argue that offering Waymo rides through an established platform makes them easier to discover and book, while giving riders access to more transport choices in one app. Ending the arrangement could reduce that convenience and weaken a partnership that brought autonomous rides to customers who might not otherwise seek them out.
Explained simply
Waymo is a company that develops and operates self-driving cars for passenger trips. Uber is a ride-hailing platform that connects passengers with drivers and, in some places, robotaxis. The companies have worked together in Atlanta and Austin, where riders could book Waymo cars through Uber.
Robotaxis are competing with both traditional ride-hailing services and other companies developing autonomous vehicles. Waymo’s expansion raises questions about how these services will be booked and who will control the customer relationship. Running a large fleet also involves significant costs, so companies must balance growth with making trips reliable and affordable.