Overview
Uber and Waymo have brought their Phoenix self-driving vehicle pilot to a close as Uber prepares to roll out a new autonomous vehicle partnership in the same market. The tie-up, first established in 2023, had seen Waymo's autonomous vehicles integrated into Uber's ride-hailing and food delivery services in Phoenix on a limited basis.
Deployment and reintegration
A Waymo spokesperson confirmed that the vehicles used in the pilot program have been taken back into Waymo's Phoenix fleet and are now available to Waymo app customers. Uber noted that Waymo's vehicles continue to appear on Uber's platforms in Austin and Atlanta, underscoring that the change applies specifically to Phoenix.
Scale and company comments
Uber described Phoenix as its first pilot market with Waymo and said the deployment had been intentionally limited - reaching just over a dozen vehicles dedicated to the program. An Uber spokesperson reiterated that the Phoenix pilot was small-scale by design.
Next steps and context
Uber said it is preparing to launch a separate autonomous vehicle partnership in Phoenix, but declined to name the new partner. The termination of the Phoenix pilot coincides with a recent Waymo recall affecting nearly 3,900 robotaxis in the United States, issued because of a software issue that could cause vehicles to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving.
Implications for local operations
With Waymo's Phoenix pilot closed and its vehicles reabsorbed into its own fleet, consumers in Phoenix seeking autonomous rides will need to use the Waymo app to access those vehicles. Uber's continuing AV integrations in Austin and Atlanta remain in place according to the companies' statements.
Reporting is based solely on the companies' statements and the information provided about the Phoenix pilot and Waymo's recall.