Waymo exits Uber Phoenix robotaxi service
- Waymo robotaxis are no longer available through Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) in Phoenix after a pilot that ran for nearly three years.
- Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) shares were down at US$74.51 following the announcement, while Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) shares were up at US$353.19.
- Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) said it is preparing another autonomous vehicle partnership in Phoenix, while Waymo said the former Uber vehicles have moved into its own Phoenix fleet.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), has ended its Phoenix robotaxi availability on Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER), closing a pilot that delivered hundreds of thousands of autonomous trips.
The change marks a shift from the 2023 partnership, when Waymo vehicles were added to Uber’s Phoenix ride-hail and delivery network after years of tension between the companies.
“This was a productive pilot that paved the way for future expansions and partnerships across the globe,” Waymo told TechCrunch.
Waymo said the vehicles used in the Phoenix pilot have been added to its own local fleet, while Uber said the Phoenix deployment involved just over a dozen vehicles.
Uber said it is preparing a separate autonomous vehicle partnership in Phoenix, and following the announcement, Uber Technologies' share price was down at US$74.51.
Waymo vehicles remain available through Uber in Austin and Atlanta, where Uber said hundreds of Waymo autonomous vehicles are available exclusively through its platform.
The end of the Phoenix pilot comes as Waymo begins placing its Zeekr-made Ojai robotaxi on roads and as both companies prepare for possible direct competition in London.
