Waymo plans direct bookings in Austin and Atlanta

The robotaxi business is also a contest over who owns the booking experience.

What happened

Waymo plans to introduce bookings through its own app in Austin and Atlanta from January 2028, ending Uber's exclusivity in those markets. The plan was described by co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana in an interview reported on 4 November.

Uber said continued availability of Waymo vehicles on its platform remains possible while the companies agree. The announcement should not be described as the immediate removal of Waymo from Uber.

Why it matters

Direct bookings give an operator more control over the rider relationship and the service people choose. A distribution partner can offer reach, but the operator may also want customers to seek out its vehicles specifically.

The bigger picture

This is a future change in distribution, not a service switch already completed. It offers a useful example of the commercial choices autonomous-vehicle operators face as they build their own customer bases.