Waymo Plans Direct Ride Booking App Expansion

Waymo plans to launch direct trip booking through its own mobile application in both Atlanta and Austin beginning in January 2028. As reported by TechCrunch based on statements from Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana to Bloomberg News, the autonomous vehicle company will conclude its exclusive arrangement with Uber in those markets. Passengers in those locations currently rely on Uber to catch a lift, but Waymo wants a direct relationship with its users.

For regular riders, this change brings clearer choices when requesting transportation. Under the existing partnership, users ordering through Uber cannot always predict if a human driver or an automated system will show up. Utilizing a separate application lets travelers deliberately choose a driverless vehicle, though it requires managing an extra software app on their phones.

It is still unclear how many consumers will choose to download a standalone app specifically for driverless trips instead of using an established platform that handles all transport options. Uber told TechCrunch that it expects to keep hosting Waymo cars on its network as long as both firms agree to do so. This split suggests that autonomous vehicle operators may view third party platforms as temporary stepping stones rather than permanent homes, which could lead to a far more fragmented ride-hail market in the coming years.