Home / Technology / Waymo Ditches Uber App in Austin by 2028
Waymo Ditches Uber App in Austin by 2028
6 Aug
Summary
- Waymo will operate independently in Austin after its Uber partnership ends in 2028.
- Tensions between Waymo and Uber reportedly stem from service quality disputes.
- Uber plans to invest over $10 billion in scaling autonomous vehicles.
Waymo, the self-driving technology division of Alphabet, will transition to an independent app for Austin riders once its partnership with Uber concludes in 2028. This strategic shift aims to foster a collaborative yet competitive autonomous vehicle ecosystem, offering consumers more choices.
The separation, reportedly driven by escalating disagreements over service standards like vehicle cleanliness and availability, marks an end to their collaboration. Waymo also operates through Uber in Atlanta but competes directly in most other markets.
Uber, while acknowledging the ongoing partnership in Austin and Atlanta for the upcoming year, is diversifying its AV strategy. The company has pledged over $10 billion to scale autonomous vehicle deployment.
Waymo launched its public service in Austin in March 2025 and currently deploys over 300 autonomous vehicles, positioning it as the dominant player in the city's AV market.
