Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber
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Uber users in Austin can now opt in to increase their chances of being matched with a Waymo vehicle. Photo: Courtesy of Uber
Uber riders in Austin can now increase their chances of being matched with a fully autonomous vehicle for trips around town.
Why it matters: Waymo has been testing driverless taxi services in Austin since last year, but its partnership with Uber will make the cars more widely available.
Driving the news: Beginning Wednesday, Uber customers can opt in to receiving autonomous rides from Waymo vehicles by getting on an "interest list" in the Uber app, though it's unclear when the cars will be available for rides.
Catch up quick: Waymo and Uber announced their partnership last fall to bring robotaxis to Austin and Atlanta by early 2025.
How it works: To get on the list, head to your account settings on the Uber app and select "Autonomous vehicles." Then, select "Join interest list."
- Once a user opts in, they'll be more likely to catch a ride with Waymo's fleet of autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-Pace cars, per Uber.
- Riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric could get a ride from a Waymo car for the same rate. Riders can also unlock the vehicle and start the trip within the Uber app.
Zoom in: Uber and Waymo also unveiled their co-branded vehicles, which company officials say will be able to travel across 37 square miles in Austin to pick up and drop off riders.
What they're saying: "The countdown is on: Waymo's autonomous rides are coming to Austin soon — only on Uber," said Andrew Macdonald, Uber's senior vice president of mobility and business operations.
- "We're excited to partner with Waymo as we build the future of transportation, which will combine the best of both autonomous and human drivers in the years ahead."
Between the lines: Robotaxis have rapidly expanded in Austin in recent years, and Tesla just announced plans to launch its robotaxi services this June.
Yes, but: The new technology has sometimes created headaches for, and drawn complaints from, residents and emergency workers.