Waymo and Uber Part Ways in Phoenix
The partnership between Waymo and Uber in Phoenix, Arizona has come to an end, with Waymo's robotaxis no longer available on Uber's ride-hail app. The two companies confirmed the end of the partnership, which began in 2023, and praised the collaboration as a successful pilot that paved the way for future expansions and partnerships.
The end of the partnership in Phoenix comes as Waymo is starting to put its newest robotaxis, the Zeekr-made van called Ojai, on the road. Waymo's vehicles are still available on Uber in other cities, such as Austin and Atlanta. Uber, on the other hand, is readying the launch of a separate autonomous vehicle partnership in Phoenix, but did not name the partner.
The Robotaxi Landscape
The robotaxi landscape has changed significantly since Waymo and Uber first partnered in 2023. At the time, the idea of the two companies working together seemed unlikely due to their messy legal battle that ended in a settlement in 2018. However, the partnership in Phoenix was seen as a way for both companies to test and refine their autonomous vehicle technology.
- Waymo has grown its fleet to around 4,000 vehicles
- Uber has inked deals to add dozens of autonomous vehicle partners to its network
- The partnership in Phoenix was the only city where Waymo operated directly and through Uber
"This was a productive pilot that paved the way for future expansions and partnerships across the globe. After hundreds of thousands of trips with Uber, we have integrated these vehicles back into our Phoenix fleet, where they will continue to serve riders through Waymo," said Waymo.
What's Next
The end of the partnership in Phoenix marks a new era of competition between Waymo and Uber in the robotaxi market. With Waymo expanding its fleet and Uber launching new partnerships, the two companies are set to go head-to-head in several cities, including London. As the robotaxi landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these two companies and others navigate the market and work to provide safe and efficient autonomous vehicle services to consumers.