WORLDTECHWaymo to end Uber partnership, creating direct rivalry
Waymo has confirmed it will part ways with Uber in January 2028, according to a report by TechCrunch. The break would put the two companies in direct competition in the markets they share.
Who is involved
Waymo is a taxi service company based in Mountain View, founded in 2009. It employed about 2,500 people in 2023, and its products and services include autonomous cars.
Uber operates a network that already includes a number of other autonomous vehicle partners, which is central to how the change is being read.
What changes for the markets
The split would turn a working partnership into a rivalry, with Waymo and Uber competing for riders in the same markets from January 2028.
Because Uber can draw on many other autonomous vehicle partners, the company would not depend on Waymo to keep offering self-driving rides on its platform.
Open questions
- Which markets will be affected by the split?
- Will Uber announce replacement arrangements with other autonomous vehicle partners?