Waymo Exits Uber App in Phoenix After 3-Year Partnership

Fact-check confidence: HIGH

All extracted facts are plainly stated in the source with proper attribution and specific numbers. No high-risk claims without verification. Both companies' quotes are directly sourced.

Waymo and Uber end Phoenix robotaxi partnership after three years

Waymo's self-driving taxis have disappeared from Uber's Phoenix app as the two companies unwind their nearly three-year collaboration and prepare to compete directly in other markets.

The short version

Waymo robotaxis are no longer available on Uber's app in Phoenix as of May
The partnership lasted nearly three years and ended at its contracted completion date
Waymo has moved those vehicles into its own Phoenix fleet and continues operating in 10 other U.S. cities
The companies are now positioned to compete head-to-head in London and other new markets

3 years

Duration of Waymo-Uber Phoenix partnership

~12 vehicles

Waymo cars deployed in Phoenix program

11 metro areas

U.S. cities where Waymo now operates

500,000+

Waymo trips completed per week globally

What happened

Waymo's robotaxis are no longer available through Uber's ride-hail app in Phoenix, Arizona, ending a partnership that ran for nearly three years. Both companies confirmed the separation to TechCrunch on Monday, with the partnership concluding in May at its originally contracted end date. The roughly dozen vehicles used in the pilot program have been folded into Waymo's independent Phoenix operations.

Context

This separation marks a shift in how the two companies operate. Waymo and Uber previously settled a significant legal dispute in 2018. Phoenix was unique as the only city where Waymo ran robotaxis both independently and through Uber simultaneously. The companies are now preparing to compete directly in new markets, including London, where both plan to operate later this year. Waymo is simultaneously expanding to around 20 new cities and has grown its fleet to approximately 4,000 vehicles.

Both sides

Bull

Waymo consolidating its own branded service may strengthen customer recognition and allow more control over rider experience and pricing in Phoenix.

Bear

Losing Uber's large user base removes a significant distribution channel for Waymo, requiring it to build awareness and adoption for its standalone service.

In plain words

Think of it like a food truck that was selling its tacos through a big restaurant's app—now it's decided to sell directly from its own window instead. Waymo and Uber worked together in Phoenix, but now Waymo wants to run its own taxi service there, while both companies will compete with each other in new cities.

What may happen

Waymo's independent Phoenix service gains traction

Waymo's reintegrated fleet attracts enough direct-app users to maintain or grow its Phoenix robotaxi volume, proving the market prefers branded autonomous services.

scenario – not a prediction

Uber faces pressure to rebuild autonomous capability

Losing Waymo's robotaxis forces Uber to accelerate development of its own self-driving tech or partner with another provider to meet rider demand for autonomous options.

scenario – not a prediction

Direct competition emerges in London and beyond

Both Waymo and Uber launch robotaxi services in new cities simultaneously, creating the first head-to-head competition between the two platforms on the same ground.

scenario – not a prediction