Waymo to end Uber exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta, launching its own app in January 2028

Waymo to End Uber Exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta, Launching Its Own App in January 2028

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Waymo to end its Uber exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta, launching its own app in January 2028:

The move follows last month’s Phoenix split and a string of safety and reliability complaints from Uber, whose stock fell more than four percent on the news.

July 25, 2026 – 11:40 am

Image by: Dllu

TL;DR:

Waymo plans to launch its own app in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, ending its exclusive robotaxi deal with Uber. Uber confirmed the news and noted that this change would allow them to bring other autonomous vehicle providers to their platform. Uber shares dropped significantly following the announcement.

The end of the exclusivity arrangement comes after Waymo’s recent exit from Phoenix and a growing list of safety issues and economic frustrations Uber has expressed regarding the partnership. These include incidents like robotaxis driving into flooded roads, illegally passing school buses, and empty vehicles circling cul-de-sacs.

Background:

• Partnership Drift: Waymo has expanded its own app into six additional markets since launching in Atlanta last June, while no new Uber cities have been announced.
• Uber’s Frustrations: Uber cited unsustainable economics, persistent safety problems, and a lack of transparency from Waymo regarding incidents.
• Competitive Landscape: Lyft CEO David Risher previously described the partnership as a "situationship," highlighting Waymo’s control over vehicles, software, and riders.
• Uber’s Contingency Plan: Uber has been investing in competitors like Avride, Nuro, and a significant deal with Rivian for robotaxis. However, these partners operate at much smaller scales compared to Waymo.

Impact:

Uber‘s stock has fallen roughly 20 percent this year, partly due to concerns about Waymo’s growing market share.