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Uber users in Austin now have a choice between a Waymo robotaxi and a human number one wood .
The two fellowship officially set up Tuesday the “ Waymo on Uber ” robotaxi service in Austin as part of a partnership that has deepen in recent calendar month . The launch comes just days before SXSW , the annual technical school , music , plastic film , and comedy group discussion , kicks off in Austin .
Starting today , Uber substance abuser who herald a drive may be matched with a Waymo robotaxi . Users will still be capable to opt for the human being - drive fomite , and not the robotaxi , accord to Uber . And both selection will be price the same .
Uber customers who require to advance their chances of getting cope with with a Waymo can opt in via the “ drive preferences ” section of their Uber app under “ scope . ”
Uber and Waymo did n’t let on how many robotaxis would be in the Austin fleet .
The companies did share that the fleet of Waymo Ab will grow to hundreds of vehicle across both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years .
Waymo and Uber , once biting rivals , have been on more cordial terms in recent class . Waymo ’s self-governing vehicles have been available on theUber app in Phoenixsince October 2023 . And the two companiesexpanded the partnershiplast year with programme to launch a more exclusive “ Waymo on Uber ” robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta in 2025 . ( Atlanta has yet to launch . )
The structure of the “ Waymo on Uber ” service forecasts how each company foresee its use in the nascent autonomous vehicle industry .
Under the musical arrangement , Waymo will be responsible for vehicle examination , roadside assistance , and sure aspects of rider reinforcement . Uber will manage the fleet avail such as vehicle cleanup , maintenance , inspections , charging , and depot operations through a company call Moove Cars , which is rebranding to Avomo . In 2021 , Uber acquired a 30 % minority interest in the European company Moove Cars — not to be mistaken with Moove , which coincidentally ismanaging Waymo ’s Ab fleet in Phoenix .
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Until 2020 , Uber was developing its own self-governing vehicle engineering via its Uber ATG business . After several controversies , including a lawsuit with Waymo and a fatal crash involving an independent trial vehicle , the drive - herald party strip Uber ATG in acomplex dealwith Aurora .
Uber eventuallysettleditssuitswith Waymo ; a few class later the two company would derive together on friendly condition .
Uber has pass the preceding duo of years shoring up its place in theemerging robotaxi marketby lock up in partnerships with ship’s company like Waymo .
Uber has partnered with 14 self-governing vehicle companies that wrap up ride - hailing , deliverance , and trucking — a handful of which are operate commercially . In December , Uber launched robotaxi rides with WeRide in Abu Dhabi . The company also has commercial-grade deals with sidewalk obstetrical delivery bot companiesAvride , Cartken , and wait on Robotics
