Waymo’s driverless robotaxis have officially launched on Uber’s platform in Atlanta
In a major step forward for autonomous ride-hailing, Waymo Robotaxis Now Available in Atlanta via Uber. This rollout makes Atlanta the second U.S. city, after Austin, to offer Waymo-Uber autonomous rides.
For its Tuesday Atlanta launch, Waymo’s vehicles will be available exclusively on the Uber app in Atlanta. The two companies first announced a deal to put Waymo’s robotaxis on the Uber app back in 2023, indicating that Austin would be first, followed by Atlanta. Waymo’s own ridehail app, Waymo One, will not be operational in Atlanta. Waymo Robotaxis are Available in Atlanta thru the Uber’s app.
The announcement was made official this morning by Uber.
Key Takeaways of the Waymo RoboTaxis Rollout in Atlanta
- Service covers a 65 sq mi section of the city, including Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View.
- Riders must opt in via the Uber app under “Ride Preferences” to maximize their chance of being assigned a Waymo robotaxi.
- Fares are on par with UberX, Comfort, and Comfort Electric—no added premium or tipping required.
What the Waymo Robotaxi Rollout Entails
The rollout follows months of testing in Atlanta, where Waymo began manual mapping in 2018 and started driverless testing in early 2025. The vehicles are operated by Waymo, while Uber handles the operational logistics such as cleaning and charging through a local fleet partner.
Atlanta Rollout Timeline
- Waymo’s mapping and manual testing began in 2018, with fully driverless testing commencing in January 2025, followed by early passenger trials in May 2025
- From raising Atlanta as a robotaxi city in September 2024 to today’s launch, the timeline spans just 283 days, a pace indicating Waymo’s rapid scaling capabilities
According to BM1Media News, Waymo’s vehicles will only operate within a 65-square-mile service area that includes Atlanta’s Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View neighborhoods. The vehicles don’t drive on highways yet, nor will they make trips to the airport.
Another thing to consider: simply calling an Uber in Waymo’s service area doesn’t guarantee a robotaxi will show up. Like in Austin, the companies will start with a small fleet of vehicles and grow from there.
How to Increase my Chances of getting a RoboTaxi in Atlanta
Customers can increase their chances of getting a RoboTaxi in Atlanta being matched opting into autonomous rides in the Ride Preferences section of their Uber app. The rides will cost the same as a typical UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride. Once the Waymo vehicle arrives, customers can unlock the door, open the trunk, and start the ride from the Uber app. Rides can also be started by pressing the button on the rear touchscreen in the vehicle.
Uber will manage fleet services, including vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, EV charging, and depot operations. The company is contracting with Avmo (formerly Moove Cars) to handle these tasks. Waymo is still responsible for vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and certain elements of rider support. The companies will obviously share in the costs and the revenue produced by the robotaxi service, though both companies have declined to share the split.
Former Rivals Turning partner
Uber and Waymo, former rivals turned unlikely partners, have said they will work together to get more people to use driverless vehicles. But the partnership isn’t exclusive; Uber also is working with over a dozen other autonomous mobility companies, including sidewalk robot operators for its Uber Eats business. According to Waymos’ key campaign metrics, the company says it has quickly grown to an annual run rate of 1.5 million robotaxi and delivery robot trips on its network.
What to Expect for the Future of RoboTaxis in Atlanta
Atlanta riders now have access to a truly futuristic transportation option, fully driverless Waymo robotaxis via the Uber app, at mainstream pricing. The launch demonstrates both parties’ confidence in autonomous tech and a willingness to scale fast, even as expansion is initially cautious.
With Waymo and Uber working in tandem, and rivals like Tesla and Zoox entering the race, the era of driverless ride-hailing is accelerating right here in Atlanta.
This launch is part of Waymo’s wider expansion strategy, joining other markets like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. Thus, showing how companies are using artificial intelligence to improve the world and make a buck at the same time.
It also marks another milestone in Uber’s shift away from building its own autonomous tech, choosing instead to collaborate with companies like Waymo. The partnership reflects a growing push toward robotaxi adoption, with over 250,000 paid rides now taking place weekly across Waymo’s markets.
Waymo’s success depends partly on narrowing that window for future cities in order to prove its scalability, while keeping an eye on safety. Waymo currently conducts approximately 250,000 rides each week in its four main markets. The company has also said it will launch in Miami and Washington, DC with its own Waymo One app.
