Waymo's robotaxis to start carrying passengers in Atlanta, expanding Uber partnership
Share this @internewscast.com

Waymo’s autonomous taxis are set to start transporting passengers in parts of Atlanta on Tuesday, extending its collaboration with Uber that originally kicked off earlier this year in Austin.

This development occurs just days after Tesla introduced a limited robotaxi service in Austin, in contrast to CEO Elon Musk’s bold claim over five years ago that Tesla would soon surpass Waymo in the autonomous driving sector. In Tesla’s current offering, a human passenger is on board to take control if necessary, unlike Waymo’s fully driverless vehicles.

Where Tesla has rolled out approximately a dozen robotaxis with human oversight, Waymo and Uber have launched around 100 entirely driver-free vehicles in Austin in less than four months since they began working together. Extending operations into Atlanta is in line with the strategic plan the two companies announced last September.

As has been the case in Austin, Waymo’s robotaxis in Atlanta will be dispatched through Uber’s app. Uber will give customers a choice to request a car operated by a human if they don’t want to take a driverless ride. The robotaxis will initially cover a 65-square-mile (168,00-square-kilometers) area within the Atlanta market before expanding to a larger stretch.

Waymo’s own ride-hailing app is available in Phoenix, Los Angeles and a steadily expanding swath of the San Francisco Bay Area. Factoring in its partnership with Uber, Waymo is currently providing more than 250,000 paid rides per week — making it the early frontrunner in the still-nascent robotaxi market.

But competition looms down the road as Musk continues to insist Tesla’s robotaxi service will be able to grow quickly and Amazon gears up to bring its Zoox driverless cabs to Las Vegas later this year — with plans to expand into San Francisco next year. Zoox is also aiming to bring its robotaxi service to Atlanta, although it hasn’t set a target date for that yet.

Uber once had ambitions to build robotaxis, but reversed course after a bruising legal battle with Waymo, which alleged the ride-hailing company stole its autonomous technology after poaching one of its engineers. After reaching a $245 million settlement with Waymo, Uber eventually sold its self-driving vehicle division following a 2018 crash that killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona.

Uber then pivoted to robotaxi partnerships to remain competitive as driverless cabs reshape the ride-hailing market. “By integrating Waymo’s cutting-edge technology into the Uber platform, we’re continuing to make transportation more convenient, sustainable, and reliable,” said Sarfraz Maredia, who oversees Uber’s efforts in autonomous driving.

With 18 different robotaxi partnerships in place around the world, Uber says it is on pace to make about 1.5 million annual driverless trips that either transport passengers or deliver food.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man, 68, arrested for driving with dogs leashed to back of car in Queens

Queens Incident: 68-Year-Old Man Arrested for Towing Dogs Behind Vehicle

A 68-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after authorities found…
Backlash erupts after city council appoints police review board member with murder conviction

Controversy Sparks Over City Council’s Choice for Police Review Board: Convicted Murderer Appointed

A contentious decision to appoint a convicted murderer to an Oregon city’s…
'I’m destroyed': Wife mourns husband killed after reportedly pulling gun on Jacksonville officers

Jacksonville Tragedy: Wife Grieves as Husband Fatally Shot After Allegedly Threatening Officers with Gun

A Jacksonville resident shared her grief with First Coast News following her…
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine jokes about hanging with Maduro, Mangione behind bars

Tekashi 6ix9ine Sparks Controversy with Humorous Remarks on Time Spent with Maduro and Mangione in Jail

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine will be serving three months in the same Brooklyn jail…
Conservatives Across the Country Mourn Michael Reagan

Nationwide Tribute: Conservatives Unite to Honor the Legacy of Michael Reagan

Michael Edward Reagan, the eldest offspring of the iconic President Ronald Reagan,…
'I'm never going to be over it': Former kidnapping victim speaks after arrest of repeat offender

Former Kidnapping Survivor Breaks Silence Following Arrest of Notorious Offender

A woman who endured the terrifying ordeal of being kidnapped over two…
Nick Reiner no longer on suicide watch ahead of arraignment: report

Nick Reiner Removed from Suicide Watch as Court Hearing Approaches: Latest Update

Nick Reiner is reportedly no longer under suicide watch as he prepares…
California mom says ChatGPT coached teen son on drug use before his fatal overdose: report

California Tragedy: How ChatGPT Allegedly Guided Teen to Fatal Overdose Shocks Parents and Experts

A California teenager reportedly turned to a chatbot for advice on drug…
Cowboys coaching staff news: Dallas fires defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, former Chicago Bears coach, after 1 season

Dallas Cowboys Make Major Move: Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus Dismissed After One Season

In a decisive move, the Dallas Cowboys have dismissed defensive coordinator Matt…
Jan. 6 riot: Illinois leaders speak out on 5th anniversary of January 6, 2021 insurrection US Capitol attack after 2020 election

Illinois Leaders Reflect on Democracy’s Resilience on 5th Anniversary of January 6 Capitol Riot

CHICAGO (WLS) — This Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the significant…
NYC sex offender indicted for threatening to kill Jews, police and federal officials

New York Man Faces Charges for Alleged Threats Against Jewish Community, Law Enforcement, and Federal Authorities

In New York City, a man with a past involving sexual assault…
Christopher, Raquelle Judge: Texas influencer couple pleads guilty to nearly $5M swindle in home renovation scams

Texas Influencer Duo Christopher and Raquelle Judge Admit Guilt in $5 Million Home Renovation Fraud Scheme

An influencer couple from Texas has admitted to defrauding over 40 individuals…