Waymo reportedly considering breakup with Uber
Alphabet-owned self-driving company Waymo is reportedly seeking a way out of its deal with Uber, which made its robotaxis available on Uber's network in Austin and Atlanta. The two companies already split in Phoenix earlier this year.
According to the Financial Times, Waymo is looking to exit its agreement with Uber, which allowed Waymo's robotaxis to be hailed through Uber's app in Austin and Atlanta. Waymo has already informed Uber that it intends to offer robotaxis through its own app in those markets starting in January 2028, in addition to the existing offering. Uber confirmed to TechCrunch on Friday that the contract with Waymo covering Austin and Atlanta ends in May 2028.
The two companies had already ceased their partnership in Phoenix earlier this year, as TechCrunch first reported. Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This development follows months of rising tensions between Waymo and Uber. Earlier this year, Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli posted a video of what he considered unsafe and "scary" behavior by a Waymo robotaxi. In May, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi mildly criticized Waymo's robotaxi behavior in school zones and emergency situations during an earnings call, though without naming the company. Waymo, meanwhile, has found itself on the opposite side of Uber in several recent policy debates regarding robotaxi regulations.
