Riders in Austin can now access Waymo autonomous rides

Starting March 4th, we’ll gradually begin rolling out a limited number of Waymo autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber app for riders in select areas of downtown Austin, TX.

Waymo’s autonomous vehicles will operate alongside drivers to help make our cities and the Uber experience even better.

Where in Austin will Waymo rides be available to riders and when will they operate?

Waymo vehicles will operate across 37 square miles of Austin – from Hyde Park to Downtown, to Montopolis. Drivers will also continue to get trip requests in this area. Any trip starting or ending outside this area, including airport trips, will not be eligible to match with a Waymo. Waymo vehicles will be operating 24 hours a day.

What types of trips are Waymo vehicles eligible for?
At launch, riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Waymo vehicle. Riders who request UberXL, UberX Share, or Premier will not have the option to be matched with a Waymo.

Will riders have the option to choose between drivers or  Waymo vehicles?

Yes. At launch, riders in Austin requesting an eligible ride may be matched with an autonomous vehicle. They will need to opt-in and accept the match. Riders who decline or fail to confirm the match with a Waymo will automatically be matched with a driver.

Will there be a difference between the price a rider sees in their app for an AV vs. a driver?

At launch, Waymo autonomous rides will be offered to riders at the same price as the UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric they request. For example, if a rider requests an UberX, is offered a Waymo vehicle, and accepts, the rider will pay the same price as they would have if they had declined the Waymo and been matched with a driver.

Will drivers see trip requests or earnings impacted?

Not all trip types or routes will be served by Waymo vehicles.

Within the Waymo vehicle service area riders requesting an eligible ride will have the choice between a driver or an autonomous vehicle. While we expect that overall demand for rides may increase, earnings will always fluctuate based on factors like rider demand and the number of drivers and autonomous vehicles on the road, which can vary at different locations, different times of the day, and days of the week.

Drivers serving riders outside of the Waymo operating area should not see an impact to trip requests.

Will the Waymo vehicle service area expand?

At launch, Waymo vehicles will operate across 37 square miles of Austin and we expect to gradually expand the operating area over time. We commit to let you know when this is happening and where.

Will the number of Waymo vehicles on the road increase?

At launch, there will be a limited number of Waymo vehicles on the road in Austin. We expect this number to grow gradually over time.

Where can I learn more about Waymo?

Visit https://waymo.com to learn more about Waymo’s track record. 
For more details on our partnership in Austin, and to learn about the rider experience, visit uber.com/waymo-on-uber.