Waymo to end Uber partnership in favor of proprietary app
Waymo will discontinue its robotaxi integration with Uber in major U.S. markets by January 2028, moving all ride requests to its own platform to improve service reliability.
Autonomous vehicle operator Waymo plans to phase out its rideshare integration with Uber in markets including Austin and Atlanta by January 2028. The company intends to shift all consumer demand to its proprietary app, citing a need to ensure service availability and strengthen direct relationships with riders.
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that while the partnership with Uber was essential for scaling in the early stages of deployment, it failed to provide the consistent, guaranteed service experience that riders currently demand. Mawakana described the previous arrangement as lacking the predictability necessary for a premium autonomous service, noting that users often could not distinguish if they would receive a Waymo or a traditional vehicle.
This shift comes as Waymo matures its presence in key urban hubs. The company has already successfully utilized its own app to capture approximately 27 percent of the rideshare market in San Francisco. By consolidating its service under a single platform, Waymo seeks to capitalize on this existing market traction and provide a more uniform experience across its expanding operational footprint.