Waymo recently began offering robotaxi rides in selected areas of Atlanta. This is part of a growing partnership with Uber and follows earlier launches in cities like Austin, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The Atlanta launch took place shortly after Tesla introduced a smaller robotaxi service in Austin, showing that competition in the autonomous vehicle industry is increasing. Tesla’s robotaxis include a human safety monitor, while Waymo’s vehicles are fully driverless. In Atlanta, people can use the Uber app to request a robotaxi within a 65-square-mile zone. There is also an option to choose a regular car with a driver. The service expansion follows a plan that both companies announced in September 2024.

Currently, Waymo provides over 250,000 paid trips per week, using both its own platform and Uber’s system. This makes Waymo one of the leading companies in the growing robotaxi market. Experts believe this development supports more sustainable and efficient transportation in cities. However, there are still difficulties to solve, including safety rules and public trust. Uber ended its self-driving project after a fatal accident and a legal problem with Waymo. Since then, Uber has focused on building global partnerships. The company now works with 18 robotaxi partners and hopes to complete 1.5 million autonomous trips each year. Other companies like Tesla and Amazon’s Zoox also plan to grow their robotaxi services in large U.S. cities.