Waymo to end Uber exclusivity in Austin and Atlanta by 2028

Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana confirmed the shift, noting that the initial collaboration was designed to leverage Uber’s massive user base for rapid scaling. However, the company determined that the current arrangement creates a confusing experience for users who struggle to distinguish between autonomous vehicles and human-driven rides. By moving to its proprietary app, Waymo aims to establish a more direct line of communication with its customer base.

While the exclusivity agreement was originally slated to expire in May 2028, Waymo is accelerating the separation to regain control over the rider experience. Uber stated that it remains open to hosting Waymo vehicles on its platform indefinitely, provided both companies reach a mutual agreement. The ride-hail giant clarified that the decision to limit booking options within its own app was driven by Waymo’s internal strategy rather than any technical or contractual restriction.