Waymo Plans Exit From Uber Robotaxi Deal

Alphabet's Waymo is exploring options to end its robotaxi partnership with Uber as competition intensifies and regulatory disagreements emerge. The Financial Times reports Waymo plans to operate independently in Austin and Atlanta starting January 2028, when the contract allows, while Uber continues to offer rides in those markets for now. Phoenix operations were already wound down, with the partnership officially ending there in 2026 and Waymo vehicles redeployed to its own fleet or other partnerships. The shift reflects a broader strategic realignment in autonomous driving, as both companies pursue different regulatory and business models, including lobbying on proposed rules in Washington, D.C. Despite talks of a split, a full separation is not immediate in all markets, with Waymo and Uber continuing some collaborations in other cities where arrangements remain in place. The pattern suggests Waymo is pursuing greater independence while maintaining coexistence with Uber in select markets during the transition.