Self-driving Waymos for Uber users arrive in Atlanta

Why it matters: The addition of Waymo's all-electric, self-driving fleet to Atlanta streets make the city an early proving ground for autonomous tech.

• In the coming months, the number of vehicles carrying riders in a 65-mile service area from Buckhead to Capitol View could number in the hundreds, Uber's Conor Ferguson told Axios.

How it works: Uber users request a Waymo autonomous vehicle from a fleet of Jaguar I-PACEs, with Georgia-made Hyundai Ioniqs planned for the future.

• If a Waymo is nearby, it may be dispatched (riders can confirm or opt out before the vehicle heads their way).
• A digital dome atop the car lights up with the rider's initials. Once the rider confirms the ride and buckles up, the vehicle starts moving.
• The vehicle's exterior and interior has cameras to record incidents and rule violations, and 24-7 support staff can hear inside in the vehicle only after an incident or to assist.

What they're saying: Camiel Irving, a vice president of operations at Uber, told Axios they brought the partnership here because "Atlanta is a city that's always open to innovation."

The intrigue: During Uber and Waymo's road testing and early access period, some residents reported seeing the robotaxis stopping awkwardly or driving too cautiously.

• Waymo says drivers who witness those moments often lack full context and, in some instances, are simply getting used to driverless vehicles.
• For example, two accidents on Carroll Street, Cabbagetown's narrow main drag, were caused by human error, Waymo's Ethan Teicher told Axios.

The bottom line: Waymo's success depends on riders' safety. Across 71 million driverless miles, according to the company's safety report, Waymo has recorded 88% fewer serious injury collisions than human drivers.

• "We're building the world's most trusted driver," Teicher said, adding that the vehicles are always learning and building upon their knowledge of city streets and Atlanta's erratic driver behavior.

Threat level: Some Atlanta Uber drivers eyed the rollout with skepticism and suspicion about the potential effects on actual human drivers' earnings.

• Local drivers shouldn't notice a change, Camiel Irving, a vice president of operations at Uber, told Axios. Users in Austin continue to request human drivers, Irving said.

Thomas' thought bubble: I took a demo ride in Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park yesterday.

• Save for an unexpected swerve down a side street to bypass traffic cones and a wood chipper blocking a lane, my ride was calm and peaceful.