Uber customers in Austin, Texas, may have noticed a new feature in the app, inviting them to express interest in hailing a Waymo robotaxi. This partnership between Uber and Waymo, announced on Wednesday, will soon enable users to ride in autonomous vehicles in Austin and Atlanta, Georgia, starting early 2025.

The "interest list" is a key component of this partnership, allowing users to signal their desire to ride in a Waymo robotaxi. Although this doesn't guarantee a Waymo pickup immediately, it will increase their chances of being matched with an autonomous vehicle at launch. The service is expected to begin soon in Austin, although neither company has disclosed an official start date.

This partnership marks a significant shift in the autonomous vehicle market, particularly for Uber. In 2020, Uber divested its autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Uber ATG, through a deal with Aurora. Prior to that, Uber and Waymo were embroiled in lawsuits alleging trade secret theft, which Uber eventually settled. Since then, Uber has been rebuilding its position in the emerging robotaxi market, partnering with 14 autonomous vehicle companies covering ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking.

In Austin and Atlanta, the arrangement with Waymo will be more exclusive, with only Uber users able to hail Waymo's fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Uber will handle the charging, maintenance, and cleaning of the vehicles, as well as managing access to the robotaxis via the app. Waymo will continue to monitor the technology and autonomous operations, including rider assistance.

The Waymo robotaxis will initially be available to customers within a 37-square-mile area of Austin, including downtown, Hyde Park, and Montopolis. The companies plan to expand this territory over time. The Waymo robotaxi fleet will start small, with Uber declining to disclose the exact number, but is expected to grow to hundreds of vehicles across both Austin and Atlanta in the next few years.

Riders who are matched with a Waymo will pay the same rate as human-driven options, such as UberX or Uber Comfort. To join the "interest list," Uber customers in Austin need to update the app, go to settings, and click on ride preferences, where they will see a list that includes autonomous vehicles.

This partnership has significant implications for the autonomous vehicle industry, as it brings together two major players in the market. The expansion of robotaxi services to new cities and the integration of autonomous vehicles into existing ride-hailing platforms could pave the way for widespread adoption. As the industry continues to evolve, this partnership will be closely watched for its impact on the future of transportation.