Phoenix Uber users will be able to book a ride in a Waymo autonomous vehicle later this year
from Sebastien Bell
5 hours before
from Sebastien Bell
Waymo and Uber announced today that they will be working together later this year to offer driverless robotaxi rides in Phoenix, Arizona. The Alphabet-owned company will enable its autonomous vehicles to process fares through the Uber app.
“We’re excited to offer another way for people to experience the pleasurable and life-saving benefits of total autonomy,” said Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo. “Uber has We’ve long been leaders in human-powered ridesharing, and combining our breakthrough technology and all-electric fleet with their customer network gives Waymo the opportunity to reach even more people.”
The companies announced that Uber users will be able to use a set number by Waymo as part of a multi-year agreement, driverless vehicles for ride-hailing trips and ordering meals via Uber Eats through the company’s apps.
Read: Uber announces 10-year partnership with Motional to provide autonomous driving
Earlier this month, Waymo announced its vehicles could autonomously drive 180 square miles of Phoenix, doubling the area in which the company can legally operate. Uber users have access to Waymo’s full-service division, the largest in the world autonomous vehicles.
“Fully autonomous driving is becoming more commonplace and we’re excited to bring Waymo’s incredible technology to the Uber platform,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber.
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Uber’s history with autonomous technology is checkered. It used to compete with Waymo until a dispute between the companies in 2017. At that time, Uber was accused of patent infringement. Although the case went to court, the companies quickly settled, with Uber reportedly admitting to abusing the company’s technology The edge.
That same year, an autonomous vehicle operated by Uber ran over a woman in Tempe, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. By 2020, Uber had sold its autonomous division and halted work on the technology.
However, Uber hasn’t completely given up on autonomous vehicles just yet. The ride-hailing app is currently partnering with Motional to offer autonomous rides in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Waymo will continue to offer driverless rides with its autonomous vehicles through its own app.
