Uber and Waymo have officially launched the "Waymo on Uber" robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, allowing users to opt for an autonomous vehicle or a human-driven ride. This partnership marks a significant expansion of the companies' collaboration, which began in Phoenix last year.

The launch comes just days before the annual SXSW conference in Austin, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to experience the future of transportation. Starting today, Uber users in Austin can hail a ride and be matched with a Waymo robotaxi, with the option to opt out and choose a human-driven vehicle instead. Notably, both options will be priced the same, making the autonomous vehicle experience more accessible to a wider audience.

Users who want to increase their chances of getting matched with a Waymo robotaxi can opt in through the "ride preferences" section of their Uber app under "settings." While the exact number of robotaxis in the Austin fleet remains undisclosed, Waymo and Uber have announced plans to grow the fleet to hundreds of vehicles across both Austin and Atlanta over the next few years.

The partnership between Uber and Waymo, once bitter rivals, has been evolving over the past few years. In 2021, Uber divested its autonomous vehicle technology business, Uber ATG, and eventually settled its lawsuits with Waymo. The companies began working together in 2023, with Waymo's autonomous vehicles becoming available on the Uber app in Phoenix. This latest development marks a significant deepening of their partnership, with plans to launch a more exclusive "Waymo on Uber" robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta in 2025.

The structure of the "Waymo on Uber" service provides insight into how each company envisions its role in the autonomous vehicle industry. Waymo will be responsible for vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and certain aspects of rider support, while Uber will manage fleet services such as vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot operations through Avomo, a rebranded version of Moove Cars, which Uber acquired a 30% minority interest in back in 2021.

Uber has been actively shoring up its position in the emerging robotaxi market by locking in partnerships with 14 autonomous vehicle companies, covering ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking. The company has already launched robotaxi rides with WeRide in Abu Dhabi and has commercial deals with sidewalk delivery bot companies Avride, Cartken, and Serve Robotics. This partnership with Waymo marks a significant milestone in Uber's strategy to become a leading player in the autonomous vehicle industry.

The implications of this partnership are far-reaching, with potential to reshape the transportation landscape and provide new opportunities for riders, drivers, and cities. As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, this collaboration between Uber and Waymo sets a promising precedent for future partnerships and innovations.