Uber and Waymo officially launched fully autonomous ride services in Austin today, allowing residents to hail driverless vehicles through the standard Uber app at no additional cost beyond regular fares.
Service Integration streamlines the user experience. Riders can access Waymo’s all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles by requesting an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride and opting into Waymo One through their Ride Preferences.
Coverage Area spans approximately 37 square miles, including key Austin neighborhoods such as:
- Downtown
- Hyde Park
- Montopolis
Operational Framework maintains user choice. “This partnership combines Waymo’s industry-leading autonomous driving technology with Uber’s marketplace technology and customer base,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO. Riders maintain the option to switch to a human-driven vehicle if they prefer.
Expansion Timeline accelerates nationwide rollout. Atlanta is next in line, with employees already testing the service ahead of public availability. Miami is scheduled to receive autonomous rides in 2026.
This launch represents a significant milestone in the commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology, with Waymo having driven tens of millions of miles autonomously across 13 U.S. states. The company received $5.6 billion in additional funding in 2024 to support its expansion efforts.
Austin riders will not be prompted to tip, as the service eliminates the human driver component while maintaining standard Uber pricing.
