Uber opens ‘curiosity listing’ for Waymo robotaxi rides in Austin


Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, talking on CNBC’s Squawk Field outdoors the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2025.

Gerry Miller | CNBC

Experience-hailing and meals supply app Uber is opening its “curiosity listing” to customers in Austin, Texas, who wish to be first in line for Waymo robotaxis there.

The corporate stated in an announcement that customers will “be capable to journey throughout 37 sq. miles of Austin — from Hyde Park, to Downtown, to Montopolis” — when the Uber-Waymo service launches quickly.

The so-called “curiosity listing” permits customers to obtain Uber updates and bolsters their odds of being matched with a Waymo autonomous car upon launch.

The automobiles that might be a part of the Austin service are Jaguar iPace electrical fashions outfitted with Waymo’s driverless techniques and labeled with each Waymo and Uber branding.

The Waymo rides in Austin will solely be accessible by means of the Uber app, not like in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the place riders hail them by means of the Waymo One app.

Within the face of investor stress to step up its autonomous car technique after Tesla promised it could quickly begin producing robotaxis, Uber final yr stated it had begun testing a ride-hailing app with a few of its workers.

Whereas Tesla doesn’t make automobiles which are protected to make use of with no human driver on the wheel, able to steer or brake always, Elon Musk’s automaker in January stated it can “start launching” a driverless ride-hailing enterprise “later this yr” beginning in Austin.

In line with the Texas Division of Transportation, testing and working a industrial robotaxi service within the state doesn’t require the identical varieties of particular licenses and permits that different states require.

“Texas legislation permits for AV testing and operations on Texas roadways so long as they meet the identical security and insurance coverage necessities as each different car on the street,” a spokesperson for the division advised CNBC by e-mail.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is anticipated to debate the impression of automated driving techniques — or self-driving vehicles — on the corporate’s total enterprise and technique on a fourth-quarter earnings name on Wednesday.

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