Waymo and Uber have announced a new partnership that will soon make Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hailing and local delivery services available to Uber customers in metro Phoenix.
Starting later this year, a set number of Waymo vehicles will be integrated into the Uber platform to serve Uber’s large network of customers in the Phoenix area and make Waymo’s world-leading autonomous driving technology accessible to more riders on a 24-hour basis.
Riders will be able to reserve and experience Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing trips and local food delivery services through the Uber and Uber Eats app, or hail a Waymo vehicle directly from the Waymo One app as usual.
“We’re excited to offer another way for people to experience the enjoyable and life-saving benefits of full autonomy,” said Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana in a statement. “Uber has long been a leader in human-operated ridesharing, and the pairing of our pioneering technology and all-electric fleet with their customer network provides Waymo with an opportunity to reach even more people.”
Metro Phoenix will be Waymo’s first operating location to roll out the new partnership with Uber. Since Waymo opened its fully driverless service to the public in 2020, the expanding Phoenix territory recently doubled and now serves over 180 square miles across Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler and Mesa. This makes metro Phoenix the largest fully autonomous service area in the world currently.
As Waymo continues to expand in Phoenix and across other cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, its new partnership with Uber provides even more opportunities to serve metro Phoenix riders and marks a new beginning for fully-autonomous ride-hailing and delivery services in the Valley and beyond.
“Uber provides access to a global and reliable marketplace across mobility, delivery, and freight,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a statement. “Fully autonomous driving is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and we’re excited to bring Waymo’s incredible technology to the Uber platform.”
