Waymo and Uber confirmed on Monday that automated vehicle rides are no longer available via the Uber app in Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot program, which was the companies' first collaboration market, concluded about a month ago after operating with just over a dozen vehicles. Uber stated the intentionally limited deployment helped the companies scale operations in Austin and Atlanta, where hundreds of Waymo autonomous vehicles now operate exclusively on the Uber platform.
Uber Cites Phoenix Pilot as Foundation for Austin and Atlanta Expansion
"Phoenix was our first pilot market with Waymo and was an intentionally limited deployment, reaching just over a dozen vehicles dedicated to the program," Uber said in a statement. The company added that the collaboration provided learning that enabled rapid scaling in Austin and Atlanta, where coverage areas continue to expand.
Waymo described the Uber initiative as "a productive pilot that paved the way for future expansions and partnerships across the globe" in a company statement.
Waymo Vehicles Remain in Phoenix for DoorDash Delivery Operations
The autonomous vehicles previously deployed for the Phoenix Uber pilot will remain in use in the city for autonomous deliveries via DoorDash, which competes with Uber Eats. Waymo operates a fleet of approximately 4,000 automated vehicles across the United States.
In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo's driverless rides are available exclusively through Uber. In nine other cities, the Google sister company makes robotaxi passenger rides primarily available via its own app and in a limited way through public transit partnerships.
Waymo Plans Nashville Launch Through Lyft Partnership
Waymo plans to offer robotaxi rides through Lyft, an Uber competitor, in Nashville later this year without exclusivity. The company has established partnerships with every major autonomous vehicle developer except Tesla.
Tesla's robotaxi service currently operates with a limited fleet of 69 registered automated vehicles in Texas. Autonomous vehicle industry researcher Grayson Brulte, founder of Autmny AI, brought attention to the end of the companies' collaboration in Phoenix in a social media post on Monday.
FAQ
When did Waymo and Uber end their Phoenix robotaxi pilot?
Waymo and Uber confirmed on Monday that the Phoenix pilot had concluded about a month ago. The pilot was the companies' first collaboration market and operated with just over a dozen vehicles dedicated to the program.
What will happen to Waymo vehicles previously used in the Phoenix Uber pilot?
The autonomous vehicles deployed for the Phoenix Uber pilot will remain in use in the city and will make autonomous deliveries via DoorDash, according to Waymo's statement.
Where can riders access Waymo robotaxis through Uber?
Waymo's driverless rides are available exclusively via Uber in Austin and Atlanta, where hundreds of autonomous vehicles operate. Waymo plans to offer rides through Lyft in Nashville later this year without exclusivity.
