Uber opens waitlist for Waymo robotaxi rides in Austin. Here's how to sign up
The days of being forced to have awkward interactions with Uber drivers may be coming to an end in Austin. Starting this week, residents will have access to driverless cars on the ride-hailing app as part of its partnership with the autonomous vehicle technology company Waymo.
Uber, which already offers the "Waymo One" experience in three other U.S. cities, announced last September that it would begin offering driverless rides in the Live Music Capital in early 2025. But the expansion has been years in the making: Waymo's fleet of fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar SUVS have long roamed the streets of Austin in preparation for such a partnership.
More: Tesla announces robotaxi ride-hailing service just weeks before Waymo launches with Uber
'We're excited to partner with Waymo as we build the future of transportation, which will combine the best of both autonomous and human drivers in the years ahead," Andrew Macdonald, Uber's senior vice president of Mobility and Business Operations, said in a statement.
Now that the service is available to the public, here is everything you need to know about when it is coming, how to sign up and what to expect.
Starting on Wednesday, but you'll need to opt in to be eligible. To do so, download the latest software update for the Uber app, launch it and open your account settings. Under 'ride preferences,' select the autonomous vehicle option. While this won't guarantee a Waymo match every time, it will increase your odds.
During the initial launch, Uber says Waymo rides will be available within a 37-square-mile contiguous portion of Austin that spans downtown, Hyde Park and Montopolis. The company plans to expand its operating territory at some point in the future with the addition of hundreds of vehicles to its fleet.
Once the Waymo vehicle arrives, riders can unlock the vehicle and start the trip — all from the familiar Uber app.
There will be no upcharge to use the service. Riders will pay the same rate they would for UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric with the prices listed for each option.
Once the Waymo vehicle arrives, riders will be able to unlock the vehicle and start the trip — all from the Uber app.
No, according to Uber.
More: The state of self-driving taxi cars in Austin: Tesla and Waymo battle as GM shifts focus
The company hopes that driverless cars will function more efficiently, leading to better experiences and increased demand. However, it has also stated that human drivers will still play an important role in its operations and that it sees Waymo as a complement rather than a competitor.
Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Uber and Waymo launch 'interest list' for Austin robotaxi service
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