Uber, Waymo end robotaxi partnership in Phoenix

Uber and Alphabet’s Waymo have ended their robotaxi partnership in Phoenix, where Uber had integrated Waymo’s self-driving vehicles into its ride-hailing and delivery platforms since 2023. Waymo said the pilot cars have been returned to its own Phoenix fleet, while Uber said it is preparing a separate autonomous-vehicle partnership in the city with an unnamed new partner. The split appears limited in scope, as Uber described Phoenix as an intentionally small pilot with just over a dozen vehicles. The news may matter for investor sentiment around autonomous mobility partnerships, but it does not indicate a broader retreat from Waymo’s presence on Uber, since the vehicles remain available on Uber in Austin and Atlanta. The development also comes shortly after Waymo recalled nearly 3,900 robotaxis over a software issue, adding a near-term operational overhang to the sector.