Waymo’s autonomous robotaxis will soon be available for rides and food delivery through Uber’s app in Phoenix, thanks to a new partnership between the two companies. The former rivals announced the collaboration, describing it as a “multi-year” agreement aimed at combining Waymo’s autonomous driving technology with Uber’s extensive ridesharing and delivery networks.
While the exact number of Waymo vehicles accessible through Uber’s app has not been disclosed, it has been confirmed that they will not be exclusive to Uber. Phoenix residents will also have the option to summon a Waymo vehicle using Waymo’s dedicated app, Waymo One.
The introduction of robotaxi services has faced challenges in recent years, with some companies laying off employees and others shutting down entirely. Operating a robotaxi service is complicated due to restrictions on where the vehicles can operate, unlike human-driven services like Uber and Lyft. Additionally, customers can easily switch to alternative services offering shorter wait times and fewer travel limitations.
This collaboration marks a significant shift in the relationship between Waymo and Uber. In 2017, Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, filed a lawsuit against Uber and its subsidiary Otto, accusing them of trade secret theft and patent infringement. The case was settled a year later, with Uber admitting to misappropriating Waymo’s technology and agreeing to license it for future use. Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski, founder of Otto, faced legal consequences for stealing Waymo’s trade secrets.
Notably, this announcement does not reference past disputes between the two companies. Waymo and Uber have an existing partnership involving autonomous long-haul trucking. The collaboration enables fleet owners to deploy trucks equipped with Waymo’s autonomous technology for on-demand delivery routes through Uber Freight, Uber’s trucking division.
Waymo previously had a partnership with Lyft to integrate its robotaxis into Lyft’s app. However, that partnership ended in 2020 during the pandemic. Waymo spokesperson Katherine Barna expressed the intention to maintain an open dialogue with Lyft as Waymo continues to scale its operations.
It is worth mentioning that Uber was developing its own fleet of autonomous vehicles with the goal of eventually replacing all human drivers. However, the program was discontinued after a fatal accident involving one of Uber’s vehicles in Tempe, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, in 2017.
Waymo’s entry into Uber’s app in Phoenix represents a significant step for autonomous vehicle technology and the future of mobility. The partnership aims to provide consumers with convenient access to Waymo’s self-driving vehicles while leveraging the extensive reach of Uber’s platform.
