The Uber app is set to revolutionize the way people get around Phoenix by offering rides on Waymo’s autonomous robotaxis. This marks Uber’s first foray into fully autonomous rides without human drivers since the discontinuation of its robotaxi initiative.
Uber has entered into a strategic partnership with Waymo, and as of Tuesday, users in Phoenix can request robotaxi rides within the UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric categories, provided a robotaxi is available in the service area. This integration opens the door to a new era of transportation in the city.
Users have the flexibility to opt out of the robotaxi experience if they prefer traditional chauffeur-driven rides, or they can fine-tune their settings to increase or decrease their likelihood of receiving robotaxi offers through the app.
The fare for a Waymo robotaxi ride will be calculated upfront, ensuring transparency and predictability for passengers. When the vehicle arrives, passengers can unlock the door by tapping a designated button in the Uber app and initiate the ride by pressing another button upon entering the cabin.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, expressed his vision for the future in a blog post, stating, “Expect the number of human drivers and driverless cars on the Uber platform to grow side-by-side for a long time to come as we continue to scale a hybrid global network that connects both modes.”
While Waymo has been offering autonomous rides in Phoenix since 2020, this collaboration with Uber is expected to significantly expand their customer base. Waymo robotaxis are already making over 10,000 trips per week in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the partnership with Uber is poised to accelerate their presence.
Notably, Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, recently received a permit to operate fully in San Francisco, potentially giving them an edge over rivals. This news comes at a time when a competing autonomous vehicle company, Cruise, had its permit revoked due to a recent hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian. Waymo’s expansion into multiple cities is a testament to the rapid growth and evolution of the autonomous driving industry.