Uber is gearing up for the launch of Waymo's public robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, by inviting customers to join an interest list to experience the Alphabet-owned company's autonomous vehicles (AVs) when they become available. This move signals a significant step forward in the partnership between Uber and Waymo, which was first announced in 2023.

Currently, Waymo's driverless vehicles are only accessible to a small group of people who joined the company's waitlist to become early testers of the service. However, with Uber's announcement, it appears that the service may soon be open to the broader public. Although Waymo has not provided a specific launch date, the partnership with Uber suggests that the rollout is imminent.

When the service launches, Waymo's vehicles will be exclusively available on Uber's app in Austin, with plans to expand to Atlanta in the future. The co-branded robotaxis will operate within a 37-square-mile geofenced area of the city, including Hyde Park, Montopolis, and downtown. Customers who join the interest list will receive updates about Waymo's launch and increase their chances of being paired with an autonomous vehicle when the service goes live.

Uber customers who are paired with a Waymo will pay the same rates as UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric, with fares provided upfront before accepting the ride. Once the vehicle arrives, customers can unlock and start the ride from the Uber app. The two companies will share responsibilities for running and managing the fleet of autonomous vehicles, with Uber handling vehicle cleaning, repair, and depot operations, and Waymo handling roadside assistance and customer service.

The partnership between Uber and Waymo marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous vehicle technology. Waymo has already demonstrated its capabilities, operating its own Waymo One ridehail service in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, and recently hitting the milestone of 150,000 rides per week in all three cities. Studies have shown that Waymo has better customer retention than human-powered ridehail services like Uber and Lyft.

The launch of Waymo's public robotaxi service in Austin is expected to have significant implications for the transportation industry, with potential benefits including increased safety, reduced traffic congestion, and improved mobility for the elderly and disabled. As the autonomous vehicle market continues to evolve, this partnership between Uber and Waymo is likely to play a key role in shaping the future of transportation.

In conclusion, the upcoming launch of Waymo's public robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, marks a significant step forward in the development of autonomous vehicle technology. With Uber's exclusive partnership and co-branded vehicles, this service is poised to revolutionize the transportation industry and provide a new level of convenience and safety for customers.