Waymo Robotaxis can now be praised via Uber in Atlanta. The two companies, which already offer the “Waymo on Uber” service in Austin, said on Tuesday that the commercial service will initially cover around 65 square miles in Atlanta.
The launch, if successful, is ready to push the companies of both companies. Uber, which is locked in partnerships with 18 autonomous vehicle companies, said that it has an annual run-rate of 1.5 million mobility and delivery AV trips on its network. In the meantime, Waymo said that every week it offers 250,000 paid robotaxi rides in Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco.
The addition of Atlanta to that list must push those figures up.
Waymo’s fleet in Atlanta is in the “dozens” and will eventually be expanded over time, a company spokesperson told Techcrunch. The companies have said earlier that the fleet shared between Atlanta and Austin will grow to hundreds.
The “Waymo on Uber” service is a kind of hybrid where robotaxis and people driven by people mixes. Uber users can set their preferences in the app to increase the chances to be tailored to a waymo.
That structure differs from the other markets where Waymo works. In those cities, riders use the Waymo One app to Hagel Robotaxis.
When an Uber user is informed, they are linked to a waymo, they can choose to accept or switch to a ride driven by people. As soon as the robotaxi arrives, riders will use the Uber app to unlock the vehicle, open the trunk and start the journey.
Robotaxi rides cost the same as a Uberx, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric powered by a person, the companies said.
The “Waymo on Uber” service splits the responsibilities of possessing and operating a fleet without a director. Uber treats the charging, maintenance and cleaning of the autonomous vehicles, as well as managing access to the robotaxis via the app. In the meantime, Waymo monitors technology and the autonomous operations, including assistance along the road and certain aspects of supporting the rider.
Last September Uber and Waymo announced plans to offer a robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta at the beginning of 2025 as part of an extensive partnership. In March the companies started offering the Waymo on Uber Robotaxi service in Austin. According to the company, Waymo has more than 100 robotaxis in its commercial fleet in Austin.
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