Uber and Waymo to end exclusivity arrangement in Atlanta and Austin - CNBC

What the report says

CNBC reported that Uber and Alphabet-owned Waymo are set to end the exclusive part of their robotaxi partnership in Atlanta and Austin, Texas, in early 2028. According to the report, Waymo has notified Uber that it plans to introduce the Waymo app in both cities in January 2028, while continuing to make driverless rides available through Uber under the existing arrangement.

Until now, riders in those two markets could access Waymo’s autonomous vehicles only through Uber’s app. Uber told CNBC that hundreds of Waymo robotaxis will remain on its platform in Atlanta and Austin at least through May 2028, when the current contract runs. The shift would also allow Uber to add other autonomous vehicle providers to its service in those cities.

The change matters because it signals a less exclusive phase in the fast-developing robotaxi market. CNBC noted that Waymo already operates in several other U.S. markets without relying on exclusive Uber distribution, and that it has also reached a non-exclusive robotaxi arrangement with Lyft in Nashville. A Waymo spokesperson told CNBC that riders should have options in how they use the technology.

CNBC also cited a Financial Times report that Waymo had discussed internally whether to separate from Uber amid tensions, including differences over policy positions in U.S. markets. Uber shares fell more than 4% after the news, CNBC reported. Separately, Uber has continued investing in autonomous vehicle partnerships with companies including Waabi, Wayve, Nuro and Rivian, as competition grows from firms such as Tesla and Amazon’s Zoox.