Waymo expands Dallas robotaxi service; Uber pledges $10 bn as Waymo exits partnership
Waymo has removed the waitlist for its Dallas robotaxi service, allowing any user who downloads the app to hail a fully autonomous ride. Since the service began in February, roughly 150,000 riders have used the fleet, which operates over a 50‑square‑mile area of central Dallas. The vehicles are fully electric Jaguar I‑Pace SUVs and are managed by Avis Budget Group, which handles charging, maintenance and depot operations. Waymo continues autonomous testing at Dallas Love Field airport and plans to begin testing on Dallas freeways before opening those routes to the public.
At the same time, Uber announced a $10 billion investment to develop its own robotaxi fleet and expand autonomous‑vehicle services worldwide. The company said the funding will support both equity stakes in robotaxi operators and the build‑out of a proprietary fleet starting in 2027. Uber’s move comes as Waymo is exiting its robotaxi partnership with Uber, ending exclusive service in Austin and Atlanta and planning to launch its own Waymo app in those cities in early 2028. The partnership split raises concerns for Uber investors about the company’s competitive position in the emerging autonomous‑mobility market.
Entities: Alphabet Inc. · Atlanta, Georgia · Austin, Texas · Avis Budget Group · Dallas · Dallas Love Field Airport · Dallas, Texas · Dara Khosrowshahi · Epilepsy Foundation Texas · Jaguar I‑Pace · Motional · Uber Technologies
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The commercial robotaxi service in Dallas began on 24 February. (Waymo)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Dallas Love Field airport is not yet served, but Waymo is testing autonomous rides at its terminals. (Waymo)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Waymo's Dallas fleet uses fully electric Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles. (Waymo and news reports)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Avis Budget Group manages the Dallas fleet’s maintenance, charging and depot operations. (Waymo)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Waymo removed the wait‑list and opened its Dallas robotaxi service to all users. (Waymo)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Waymo plans to begin autonomous testing on Dallas freeways before opening those routes to the public. (Waymo)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Dallas service area covers roughly 50 square miles (about 130 square kilometres). (Waymo)
- [● 5 SOURCES] About 150,000 riders used the Dallas robotaxi service in its first five months. (Waymo)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Waymo spokesperson said the company believes in a vibrant and collaborative autonomous‑vehicle ecosystem. (Waymo spokesperson, Automotive News)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Uber and Motional launched a competing robotaxi service in Las Vegas. (article summary)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Uber currently offers rides in autonomous Waymo vehicles exclusively in Austin and Atlanta. (article summary)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The partnership dissolution raises concerns among Uber shareholders about future growth and competitiveness. (German analysis article)