Waymo and Uber announced today that they will partner to offer driverless robotaxi rides in Phoenix, Arizona, later this year. The Alphabet-owned company will allow its autonomous vehicles to take fares through the Uber app.
“We’re excited to offer another way for people to experience the enjoyable and life-saving benefits of full autonomy,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “Uber has long been a leader in human-operated ride-sharing, 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.”
The companies announced that Uber users will be able to use a set number of Waymo’s driverless vehicles for ride-hailing trips and to order food via Uber Eats through the company’s apps as part of a multi-year agreement.
Read: Uber Announces 10-Year Partnership With Motional To Deliver Autonomous Rides
Earlier this month, Waymo announced that its vehicles would be able to drive autonomously across 180 square miles of Phoenix, doubling the area in which it could legally operate. Uber’s users will have access to Waymo’s full service area, which is the largest on earth for autonomous vehicles.
“Fully autonomous driving is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and we’re excited to bring Waymo’s incredible technology to the Uber platform,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO.
Uber’s history with autonomous technology is checkered. It was formerly in competition with Waymo, until a dispute between the companies erupted in 2017. At that time, Uber was accused of patent infringement. Although the case went to trial, the companies quickly settled, with Uber admitting to misappropriating the company’s technology, reports The Verge.
That same year, an autonomous vehicle operated by Uber struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, just outside Phoenix. By 2020, Uber had sold its autonomous department and stopped working on the technology.
Uber has not completely given up on autonomous vehicles, though. The ride-hailing app currently works with Motional to offer autonomous rides in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Waymo will continue to offer driverless rides with its autonomous vehicles through its own app.
