Waymo to end Uber partnership in Austin and Atlanta from January 2028

What changes in January 2028

Waymo will end its partnership with Uber in the Austin and Atlanta markets starting January 2028. From that date, Waymo robotaxis will no longer be available through the Uber app in these cities. Instead, Waymo will offer rides directly through its own app, mirroring its current model in other cities.

The decision to split follows Waymo’s assessment that the rider experience through Uber was inconsistent. According to Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, riders often could not be certain whether they would receive a robotaxi or a human-driven vehicle when booking through Uber. This variability, along with a preference for direct rider relationships, drove the decision to exit the partnership.

The original agreement between Waymo and Uber was formed to leverage Uber’s scale, but it was set to expire in May 2028. Waymo’s move accelerates the timeline for ending exclusivity in these two markets by five months.

Uber’s stance and future collaboration

Uber has confirmed that Waymo chose not to add a direct booking option for robotaxis within the Uber app. Despite the split in Austin and Atlanta, Uber stated it will continue to host Waymo robotaxis on its platform in other markets "for as long as the two companies agree."

The decision to end the partnership in these cities does not preclude future collaboration elsewhere. Both companies have left the door open for continued cooperation in markets where it aligns with their respective strategies.

Waymo’s expanding partnerships beyond Uber

This shift follows Waymo’s recent moves to diversify its partnerships beyond Uber. In earlier reporting, Lazyfounder covered Waymo’s collaboration with Toyota to deploy autonomous Toyota bZ4X vehicles for robotaxi services in Japan and the U.K. That partnership includes manufacturing at Toyota’s Takaoka factory and integrating Waymo’s self-driving technology, with commercial services expected to launch after testing begins in Japan next year.

Waymo’s focus on direct rider relationships and expanding into new markets reflects a broader strategy to control the user experience and scale independently. This approach contrasts with its earlier reliance on Uber’s platform for rapid access to riders.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in the autonomous vehicle and ride-hailing sectors, Waymo’s decision signals a strategic shift toward direct customer relationships and platform independence. This move could inspire other robotaxi providers to reconsider partnerships that dilute branding or user experience control. However, the continued collaboration with Uber in other markets suggests that partnerships remain valuable where they align with business goals. Operators in adjacent sectors—such as last-mile delivery or mobility-as-a-service—may watch closely to see if Waymo’s model of selective independence gains traction.

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