Waymo Weighs Uber Split as Robotaxi Tensions Escalate

Alphabet-owned Waymo supplies the autonomous-driving system, while Uber contributes customer demand and fleet operations. The companies first teamed up in Phoenix in 2023 and later deepened the alliance in Austin and Atlanta, where riders can access Waymo vehicles only through Uber’s app. A breakup would test whether robotaxi operators need ride-hailing aggregators for distribution, while sharpening a wider contest over who controls pricing, customer relationships and the rules governing autonomous transport.

On July 24, 2026, the Financial Times reported that Waymo had held internal talks about ending its Austin and Atlanta agreements with Uber, citing people familiar with the matter. Uber said Waymo had notified it of plans to enter both markets independently as early as January 2028, when the contract allows, while Uber expects to continue offering Waymo rides until the agreement expires in May 2028. The split is being considered as the companies back conflicting robotaxi policies, including in Washington, D.C.