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Waymo and Uber’s Austin Robotaxi Expansion Begins Today
Today marks a significant milestone for the future of transportation in Austin as Waymo and Uber launch their robotaxi service exclusively within the Uber app. This development is a major step forward in the advancement of autonomous driving technology, providing users with an innovative and convenient way to get around the city.
As announced last September, this expansion was initially planned to include not only Austin but also Atlanta. In October, Waymo secured a substantial $5.6 billion investment to support its growth plans, including this ambitious project. The company has been working tirelessly to bring this vision to life, and we are now witnessing the tangible outcome of their efforts.
Here’s how it will work: users can simply order an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride through the app, just like they would with any other traditional taxi service. The good news is that you don’t have to specifically request a Waymo One ride; rather, the algorithm will automatically select one if available. However, please note that there’s no guarantee you’ll be assigned a self-driving vehicle.
To increase your chances of getting a Waymo, Uber recommends adjusting your “Ride Preferences” within the app. Once inside the robotaxi, users can unlock it, open the trunk, and begin their journey seamlessly through the same app. Interestingly, this marks a first for Waymo, as they will be outsourcing storage, cleaning, and maintenance of the vehicles to a third-party partner, Avomo. This development is expected to create an even more streamlined experience for riders.
It’s worth noting that Waymo won’t be the only major player in the robotaxi space operating in Austin. Tesla has announced plans to launch its own self-driving service in the city come June. While Waymo boasts a significant head start, having already achieved 50,000 paid trips per week by May of last year, it remains to be seen how quickly Tesla will reach similar scales.
Uber has expressed interest in integrating Tesla’s services into their app as well, but for now, they will operate independently.
