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Uber Launches Waymo Driverless Rides in Atlanta. Here's How to Hail a Robotaxi

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Table of Contents Uber Launches Waymo Driverless Rides in Atlanta. Here's How to Hail a Robotaxi

Starting Tuesday, Uber riders in Atlanta can hail a Waymo robotaxi to get around town.

Now, when you book a ride via UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric, you could be paired with a fully electric, autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicle operated by Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving company, at no additional cost. You'll have the option to accept or decline the driverless ride each time. Passengers can travel across 65 square miles of Atlanta, with plans for future expansions.

If you want to boost your chances of being paired with a Waymo vehicle, you can opt in by going to the Uber app, tapping Account > Settings > Autonomous vehicles (under Ride Preferences), and then hitting the toggle next to Get more Waymo rides.

Watch this: Testing Waymo's Safe Exit Feature in a Self-Driving Taxi 05:29

Riders can unlock the vehicle when it arrives, pop open the trunk and start the ride from the Uber app. They can also contact 24/7 customer support through the Uber app or Waymo's touchscreens within the vehicle.

The current Waymo service area for Uber riders in Atlanta. There are plans for future expansions. Uber/Waymo

Expanding the Uber-Waymo partnership

Waymo and Uber teamed up in 2023 (following a bitter rivalry) to bring more Waymo rides to passengers via the Uber app. They kicked off the partnership in Phoenix, where customers can hail a robotaxi from the Uber app and have their Uber Eats meal delivered by an autonomous car.

Uber began offering Waymo rides in Austin, Texas, in March, and it says there are now 100 vehicles on the platform there. Waymo also notes that "reception from riders in Austin has been overwhelmingly positive, with riders rating their Waymo trips, on average, as 4.9 out of 5 stars."

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