Uber, Waymo to debut driverless cars in Atlanta in 2025
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Uber and Waymo announced Friday that they will expand Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service to Atlanta and Austin in early 2025. Photo: Waymo
Atlanta residents fetching an Uber will soon have the option to ride in a self-driving vehicle.
Why it matters: Uber long ago gave up on developing its own robotaxis, which is difficult and expensive. Instead, Uber is partnering with other tech companies that can bring driverless cars to its platform.
Driving the news: Uber and Waymo announced Friday that they will expand Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service to Atlanta and Austin in early 2025.
How it works: Users who request Uber Green, Uber X, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric options could be paired with a Waymo vehicle for certain trips, the companies said.
- Uber says it will manage Waymo's all-electric autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles "that will grow to hundreds over time."
- Uber will be responsible for cleaning and repairing the vehicles while Waymo will oversee testing and operations of the "Waymo Driver," which covers roadside assistance and other services.
The big picture: Long-term, robotaxis could disrupt and revolutionize the way metro Atlanta builds roads, transit and other infrastructure projects.
Catch up quick: Uber deployed Waymo's self-driving vehicles in the Phoenix area last year, which it said has racked up tens of thousands of riders. People in Atlanta and Austin "will be able to experience that same mobility magic," said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.
Yes, but: Atlanta riders need to remember that these self-driving cars can't go everywhere, "so they will still have a driver for many of their Uber trips."
Flashback: Atlanta is familiar territory for Waymo. In 2018, the company announced it would test self-driving vehicles around the metro area.
Context: Atlanta is also no stranger to companies using its streets to test autonomous vehicles.
- Cruise, which is owned by General Motors, tested self-driving taxis last year, Thomas previously reported.
- In July 2023, the Cumberland Community Improvement District unveiled an eight-month pilot program where a driverless shuttle dubbed "The Cumberland Hopper" served the car-oriented office, retail and growing residential area.
State of play: Autonomous vehicle technology has been pitched as a game changer for transportation for the past decade — but so far its service has been limited to select cities.
- It's also seen its share of issues, namely in San Francisco and Austin.
- Tesla is also dipping its toe into the self-driving vehicle market, but questions remain over whether the technology is ready and how it would operate.
Our thought bubble: Waymo is the clear robotaxi leader. With Cruise still clawing its way back from a safety disaster in San Francisco, and with partnerships like this, the company will extend that lead.
Go deeper: How self-driving cars can gain the public's trust