Waymo, Uber Launch 65-Square-Mile Robotaxi Service in Atlanta

Waymo has launched its fully autonomous robotaxi service in Atlanta through an expanded partnership with Uber, allowing riders to request driverless rides via the Uber app at no extra cost. The service initially covers a 65-square-mile area, including Downtown, Buckhead, and Capitol View, with plans for gradual expansion. Unlike Tesla's recent Austin pilot, which requires a human passenger to oversee the vehicle, Waymo's robotaxis operate completely driverless, offering over 250,000 paid rides weekly across multiple cities. Uber riders can opt out of autonomous rides and will receive upfront pricing with the option to rate their experience, though tipping is not requested for robotaxi trips. The Atlanta launch follows Waymo's successful deployment in Austin and aligns with their roadmap to grow autonomous ride-hailing services, while competition heats up from Tesla and Amazon's Zoox, which plans to enter Atlanta but has not yet set a launch date. With Waymo operating over 1,500 robotaxis nationwide, the partnership with Uber positions it as the early front-runner in the emerging robotaxi market.