Waymo ends Uber exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta markets starting January 2028

Direct app access begins soon

Tekedra Mawakana told Bloomberg News that the robotaxi firm will allow users to book rides through its own smartphone application. This change marks a shift from the previous arrangement where Uber handled all bookings for these specific cities. The company plans to launch this direct service alongside any remaining agreements with the ride-hail giant.

Riders face mixed vehicle options

Mawakana explained that passengers previously could not be certain whether their trip would involve a human driver or an autonomous vehicle. She stated that this uncertainty created a poor experience for customers in the affected regions. Uber confirmed it will continue to host Waymo vehicles on its platform while the new terms take effect.

Partnership history and scale goals

The original deal was formed because Uber provided the necessary scale for the autonomous vehicle operator to grow. Reports indicate that Waymo sought to leave the agreement earlier this year after the Financial Times published details about their intentions. Both companies have now clarified the timeline for when the exclusivity period officially concludes.