Today, Waymo and Uber are launching their robotaxi service in Austin, which can be accessed exclusively through the Uber app. The two companies had previously announced their plan to expand the service to Austin and Atlanta in September 2024. Waymo also raised $5.6 billion in October to support the expansion, as reported in this article.

In contrast to the Waymo One service available in San Francisco and Los Angeles, interested riders in Austin can access the service by ordering an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride. This is similar to how the service is handled in Phoenix. Although there is no guarantee of receiving a Waymo, riders can increase their chances by adjusting their “Ride Preferences” in the app. The upfront prices remain the same, and if a Waymo is assigned, there will be no prompt to tip. The Uber app will also be used to unlock the Waymo, open its trunk, and start the ride.

According to Uber, the Waymo One service will cover 37 square miles in Austin. Notably, the company has partnered with Avomo, a third-party partner, to store, clean, and maintain the Waymo vehicles. This marks a first for the company and is expected to make the experience even more similar to traditional taxi services.

Waymo will not be the only major self-driving company offering rides in Austin. Tesla’s robotaxi service is set to launch in the Texas capital in June. However, the two companies are not yet evenly matched. In May 2024, Waymo reported making 50,000 paid trips every week. It remains to be seen how quickly Tesla will reach the same scale. Uber has expressed interest in offering Tesla rides through its app, although Tesla is currently operating independently.