Sunita Somvanshi
Uber and Waymo have officially launched their robotaxi service in Atlanta, marking another milestone in the expansion of driverless transportation across America. Starting June 23, 2025, Atlanta residents can now hail a fully autonomous Waymo vehicle through the Uber app, with no human driver behind the wheel.
The service covers a 65-square-mile zone that includes Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View neighborhoods. While this initial coverage area doesn’t include interstates or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the companies plan to grow both the service area and vehicle fleet over time.
“By integrating Waymo’s cutting-edge technology into the Uber platform, we’re continuing to make transportation more convenient, sustainable, and reliable,” said Sarfraz Maredia, who oversees Uber’s efforts in autonomous driving.
The Atlanta expansion follows a successful launch in Austin, Texas earlier this year, where the companies deployed about 100 driverless vehicles. The partnership aligns with plans announced last September and positions Waymo as the frontrunner in the growing robotaxi market.
How the Service Works
Riders can access Waymo vehicles by requesting UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric through the Uber app. The system will notify users when a Waymo vehicle is available, giving them the option to accept the driverless ride or switch to a human driver.
To increase your chances of getting a Waymo vehicle, you can opt in through the Ride Preferences section of the Uber app settings. When your autonomous vehicle arrives, you’ll recognize it by the initials displayed on the dome atop the car.
The fleet consists of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs equipped with Waymo’s 5th-generation Automated Driving System. Each vehicle features 29 cameras, 5 LIDAR sensors, and 6 RADAR sensors to safely navigate the city streets.
Pricing remains the same as standard Uber rides, with no extra charges for the autonomous experience. While tipping isn’t an option for driverless rides, the service includes 24/7 human support through both the Uber app and in-car screens.
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Safety First
Waymo emphasizes safety as its top priority. The company reports that compared to human drivers, its vehicles have had 78% fewer injury-causing crashes over millions of autonomous miles. For crashes involving pedestrians, the reduction is even more significant at 93% fewer incidents.
The company addressed a federal recall of its vehicles in late 2024 with a software update designed to better detect and avoid chains, gates, and road barriers. All vehicles have been fixed and continue to operate with redundant safety systems.
Ethan Teicher, a Waymo spokesman, acknowledges that “driving is dangerous” but says the company is “fully committed to learning from it and continuing to earn that trust” when incidents occur.
Growing Competition
Waymo’s Atlanta launch comes just days after Tesla introduced its limited robotaxi service in Austin. Unlike Waymo’s fully autonomous approach, Tesla’s initial service includes a human “valet” in the passenger seat to take control if needed.
Competition is intensifying as Amazon-owned Zoox also plans to bring its robotaxi service to Atlanta, though no specific date has been announced. Zoox aims to launch in Las Vegas later this year before expanding to San Francisco next year.
Wider Expansion Plans
Waymo currently operates autonomous ride services in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and parts of Silicon Valley through its own Waymo One app. With Austin and Atlanta, it’s expanding through the Uber partnership instead.
The company is providing more than 150,000 paid rides weekly across its markets, making it the leader in the emerging robotaxi industry. Future plans include launching in Miami in 2026, followed by Washington D.C., with testing already underway in numerous other cities including Las Vegas, San Diego, and Boston.
In Atlanta and Austin, the companies have a unique arrangement where Uber handles fleet management, including vehicle cleaning, maintenance, and charging, while Waymo manages the autonomous technology, roadside assistance, and safety monitoring.
“We’re thrilled to continue deepening our partnership with Waymo as we expand autonomous rides to Atlanta,” said Sarfraz Maredia.
With Waymo rides in Austin earning an average 4.9-star rating, the companies are confident Atlanta residents will embrace the technology. They expect to have hundreds of autonomous vehicles operating in both cities within the next few years, significantly increasing the number of zero-emission electric trips available through Uber.
As driverless technology continues to advance, Atlanta joins a growing list of cities where the future of transportation is becoming everyday reality.
