Waymo and Uber are giving some riders early access to Atlanta robotaxi service | TechCrunch
May 20, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Waymo and Uber are set to launch a robotaxi service in Atlanta, offering rides to select customers who joined a waitlist earlier this year. This initiative precedes a broader public launch planned for the summer. Initially, the service will cover a 65-square-mile area, including downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, and Capitol View. Customers chosen for early access will be informed via the Uber app and email, and they will receive $10 in Uber credits after their first ride. The service, which began in Austin, is part of a partnership announced last September to expand robotaxi offerings in Austin and Atlanta using Waymo's autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
Under the partnership, Uber is responsible for the charging, maintenance, and cleaning of the vehicles, as well as managing access through its app, while Waymo oversees the technology and autonomous operations. This collaboration is part of Waymo's broader strategy to expand its autonomous services, which are already operational in cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The companies aim to gather feedback from early riders to refine the service before the full public rollout.
Key takeaways:
Waymo and Uber will start offering robotaxi rides in Atlanta to select customers who signed onto a waitlist earlier this year.
The public robotaxi launch in Atlanta is planned for this summer, following the early access phase.
Atlanta is the second city to receive the "Waymo on Uber" service, after its initial launch in Austin.
Uber manages the charging, maintenance, and cleaning of the vehicles, while Waymo oversees the tech and autonomous operations.
