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
Larry Summers hit with lifetime ban by high-profile economics club over Epstein ties

Economics Club Issues Lifetime Ban to Larry Summers Amid Epstein Controversy

A prominent academic organization in the United States has permanently expelled former…
Washington state man investigated for threatening ICE agents online, vowing to 'make life harder' for officers

ICE Arrests Child Predators and Armed Robbers Amidst Surge in Officer Assaults

In a series of decisive actions, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
University of Delaware student accused of 'frightening' plot to attack campus police

University of Delaware Student Allegedly Involved in Disturbing Plot Against Campus Police

A student from the University of Delaware has been apprehended and faces…
100-foot rule costs all gas customers

How the 100-Foot Rule is Impacting Your Gas Bill: A Must-Read for Savvy Consumers

As the legislative session in Albany wrapped up this year, both the…
LA man seen throwing Molotov cocktail into federal building, feds say

Federal Authorities Report LA Man Allegedly Hurls Molotov Cocktail into Government Building

Federal authorities have unveiled new images of the individual accused of hurling…
Truckload of 'aggressive' research monkeys escape after truck crash in Mississippi; 1 still on the loose

Mississippi’s Escaped Monkey ‘Forrest’ Finds a Safe Haven and New Beginnings in New Jersey Sanctuary

The last of the monkeys that made a daring escape from a…
Bodycam shows 'Slender Man' stabber captured by police after escaping group home

Attorney Advocates for Slender Man Stabbing Suspect’s Return to Mental Health Facility Following Jail Escape: Report

The lawyer representing the woman involved in the infamous 2014 Slender Man…
What should you do? | Crime and safety expert shares advice after road rage ends in shooting

Essential Safety Tips: Expert Guidance to Protect Yourself in Road Rage Situations

In the wake of a disturbing road rage incident on Monday that…
Trump Hints at a Bold, New World of Tax Freedom for Americans: ‘Get Rid of It’

Trump’s Revolutionary Tax Vision: Could a Tax-Free America Become Reality?

In a bold move that has stirred up excitement among taxpayers across…
Man in custody for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails into LA federal building, docs show

Man Detained for Alleged Molotov Cocktail Attack on LA Federal Building, Court Documents Reveal

A man from Los Angeles has been arrested for allegedly launching homemade…
Pete Hegseth: ‘We’ve Only Just Begun Striking Narco Boats’

Pete Hegseth Announces Ongoing Offensive Against Narco Boats: A New Era in Drug Trafficking Combat

In a bold statement on Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced…
Lawsuit over excessive use of force against protesters, press by DHS under 'Midway Blitz' dropped after feds leave

Federal Lawsuit Alleging Excessive Force by DHS During ‘Midway Blitz’ Protests Dismissed Following Federal Withdrawal

CHICAGO — Protesters and journalists have decided to drop their lawsuit against…