Waymo robotaxis now available on Uber app in Atlanta
In a significant step forward for autonomous transportation, Uber customers in Atlanta can now hail a driverless Waymo robotaxi directly through the Uber app. This marks Atlanta as the second U.S. city, after Austin, to host the growing collaboration between Uber and Waymo, two companies that were once rivals in the self-driving space.
A New Era of Ridehailing in Atlanta
The rollout in Atlanta begins with a limited number of Waymo vehicles operating in a 65-square-mile service area, covering key neighborhoods including Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View. Initially, the robotaxis won’t navigate highways or provide service to the airport. The goal is a phased expansion, starting with a small fleet and gradually scaling operations based on demand and performance.
While Waymo has its own ridehailing app, Waymo One will not be functional in Atlanta. Users attempting to access it will be redirected to Uber, which has exclusive app-based access to Waymo rides in the city for now.
What Riders Can Expect
To increase the odds of being matched with a driverless Waymo, riders must opt in to autonomous rides in the Ride Preferences section of the Uber app. Even then, there's no guarantee that a robotaxi will be dispatched—availability is still limited. Ride costs will mirror UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric pricing tiers.
Once a Waymo robotaxi arrives, customers can unlock the vehicle, access the trunk, and begin the ride using the Uber app or by pressing a touchscreen inside the vehicle. The integration aims to make the experience as seamless and familiar as possible.
Behind the Scenes: Operations and Support
Fleet operations—including charging, cleaning, maintenance, and inspections—will be managed by Uber through a partner company, Avmo (formerly Moove Cars). Waymo will retain control of technical operations such as vehicle testing, roadside support, and core safety features. Financial arrangements between the two companies remain undisclosed, though revenue and operational responsibilities are shared.
A Long Road to Launch
Waymo began mapping and manual testing in Atlanta as early as 2018. The company started fully driverless testing in the city in January 2025, followed by pilot passenger rides in May. This means it took just over nine months—from initial public identification to live service—for the robotaxi operation to go from concept to customer-ready.
The Bigger Picture
This partnership is part of a broader push by Uber to incorporate autonomous vehicles into its network. While Waymo is a key player, Uber is also working with more than a dozen other companies in the autonomous mobility sector, including those providing delivery robots for Uber Eats. Combined, these efforts now contribute to an annualized run rate of 1.5 million autonomous trips.
For Atlanta residents, this will be the first opportunity to ride in a fully driverless vehicle—a moment of both curiosity and cautious optimism. For Waymo and Uber, Atlanta is another proving ground for the future of autonomous urban transportation, as they prepare to launch in more cities, including Miami and Washington, DC.
