Uber and Waymo’s commercial robotaxi service is open for business in Atlanta

Waymo robotaxis can now be hailed in Atlanta via Uber. The two companies, which already offer the “Waymo on Uber” service in Austin, said on Tuesday the commercial service will initially cover about 65 square miles in Atlanta.

The launch, if successful, is poised to propel the businesses of both companies. Uber, which has locked in partnerships with 18 autonomous vehicles companies, said it has an annual run-rate of 1.5 million mobility and delivery AV trips on its network. Meanwhile, Waymo said it provides 250,000 paid robotaxi rides every week across Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco.

The addition of Atlanta to that list should push those numbers 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 previously said the fleet shared between Atlanta and Austin will grow to the hundreds.

The “Waymo on Uber” service is a hybrid of sorts where robotaxis and human-driven vehicles intermingle. Uber users can set their preferences in the app to increase the chances of being matched with a Waymo.

That structure differs from the other markets where Waymo operates. In those cities, riders use the Waymo One app to hail robotaxis.

When an Uber user is notified they’ve been matched with a Waymo, they can choose to accept or switch to a human-driven ride. Once the robotaxi arrives, riders will use the Uber app to unlock the vehicle, open the trunk, and start the trip.

Robotaxi rides will cost the same as an UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric driven by a human, the companies said.

The “Waymo on Uber” service splits the responsibilities of owning and operating a fleet of driverless vehicles. Uber handles the charging, maintenance and cleaning of the autonomous vehicles, as well as managing access to the robotaxis via its app. Meanwhile, Waymo monitors the tech and the autonomous operations, including roadside assistance and certain aspects of rider support.

Last September, Uber and Waymo announced plans to offer a robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta in early 2025 as part of an expanded partnership. In March, the companies started offering the “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi service in Austin. Waymo has more than 100 robotaxis in its commercial fleet in Austin, according to the company.