If you’re in Atlanta and have been curious about riding in a driverless car, this summer is your chance. Uber and Waymo are teaming up to bring their robotaxi service to the city, and they’re inviting you to join the waitlist now. Signing up will increase your chances of being among the first to experience a ride in a Waymo autonomous vehicle when the service officially begins.
The service is part of an expanded partnership between the two companies. In September, they announced plans to launch robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta by early 2025. However, things are moving faster than expected. The robotaxi service already launched in Austin this March; now, Atlanta is next in line.
You can hail a Waymo robotaxi directly through the Uber app. Waymo manages and operates the fully autonomous Jaguar I-PACE electric cars. However, Uber isn’t just a middleman in this operation. The company is responsible for cleaning, charging, and maintaining the vehicles and providing app access and customer support.
A surprising partnership with a rocky past
The collaboration between Uber and Waymo marks a major turnaround from just a few years ago. In early 2018, the two companies were locked in a bitter court battle over claims that Uber had stolen trade secrets from Waymo. That lawsuit was settled in February of the same year, ending a public dispute.
Since then, the two tech giants have taken very different paths in autonomous driving. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, has quietly and steadily built up its technology. It has already launched successful driverless taxi services in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
On the other hand, Uber originally tried to develop its own self-driving cars through a division called Uber ATG. However, that effort stopped in December 2020 when Uber sold the division to Aurora in a complicated business deal. Since then, Uber has switched its approach, focusing on partnerships with other companies already working on autonomous tech.
Uber’s new strategy appears to be working. The company has formed alliances with 14 firms involved in ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking. Some of these partnerships are already providing commercial services. In December 2023, for example, Uber launched a robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi with WeRide, and Waymo’s driverless cars have been available to Uber users in Phoenix since October 2023.
Where and how to join the list
Once the service starts, it will operate across a 65-square-mile area in Atlanta. This includes key neighbourhoods like Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View. Uber and Waymo have said they plan to expand the coverage area over time.
If you’re interested in being among the first to try it, Uber is making it easy to join the list. Just update your Uber app, tap “Account”, and go to “Settings.” From there, select “Ride Preferences,” where you’ll see the option to join the interest list under “Autonomous Vehicles.”
Those who sign up early might even get to ride before the official launch. The companies say they’ll send updates to those on the list and may offer early access to Waymo robotaxis.
So, if you’re in Atlanta and curious about the future of transport, now’s your chance to get on board—literally. Driverless rides are coming soon and could be just a few taps away on your phone.
