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Uber and Waymo End Exclusivity in Two Key Markets, Full Breakup Possible

Published July 26, 2026 at 12:03 PM UTC

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Uber and Waymo are ending their exclusive partnership arrangement in Atlanta and Austin, and Waymo is reportedly considering a complete split from Uber. The changes signal a major shift in the autonomous vehicle industry, where both companies are now direct competitors. The original exclusivity deal, reached after a 2018 legal settlement, allowed Uber to use Waymo's self-driving technology for ride-hailing in those two cities. That arrangement is no longer in effect, and sources say Waymo is weighing whether to end its broader commercial agreement with Uber altogether. The move gives both firms more flexibility: Uber can now strike deals with other autonomous vehicle developers, and Waymo can work with other ride-hailing platforms. Riders in Atlanta and Austin may soon see more robotaxi options from different providers. The decision comes as Waymo continues to expand its own autonomous fleet, while Uber has invested in other self-driving companies like Aurora. The end of exclusivity could accelerate competition but also raise questions about data sharing and safety coordination between the former partners. Industry observers will watch for Waymo's official decision and for Uber's next partnership moves.