SAN FRANCISCO—Waymo will open its driverless ride service to platforms beyond Uber in Atlanta and Austin starting in 2028, ending an exclusivity agreement with the ride-hailing giant in two growing U.S. markets.
The current arrangement makes Uber the sole aggregator for Waymo's self-driving cars in those cities. Removing that restriction allows Waymo to pursue direct partnerships or integrate with competing mobility providers—a move designed to lift vehicle utilization rates and expand revenue per operating region.
For Uber, losing exclusivity means new competition in its premium autonomous segment. The Waymo integration had given Uber an operational, driverless option in Atlanta and Austin that its own autonomous efforts—developed through partnerships and internal programs—have not yet matched. Its platform advantage will now have to rest on something other than exclusive access to Waymo vehicles.
Waymo operates a capital-intensive fleet and research division and needs to maximize returns on its self-driving technology investment. Broadening platform access drives higher transaction volumes and shortens the path to profitability for its robotaxi operations.
Atlanta and Austin are valuable expansion territories for autonomous services. Both cities offer complex urban environments and growing populations that test scalability and operational efficiency. The 2028 timeline gives Waymo and potential new partners roughly two years to prepare for the expanded market.
