Driverless Ubers Are Coming to This Major U.S. City

The country’s biggest autonomous driving area is about to get even more driverless cars. Uber just announced it’s partnering with Waymo to introduce autonomous rides in the Phoenix area, Waymo’s largest fully autonomous service area in the world. 

“We’re excited to offer another way for people to experience the enjoyable and life-saving benefits of full autonomy,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a statement. “Uber has long been a leader in human-operated ridesharing, and the pairing of our pioneering technology and all-electric fleet with their customer network provides Waymo with an opportunity to reach even more people.”

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi echoed a similar sentiment. “Uber provides access to a global and reliable marketplace across mobility, delivery, and freight,” he said. “Fully autonomous driving is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and we’re excited to bring Waymo’s incredible technology to the Uber platform.”

Related: How to Make Your Uber Ride Smoother

The partnership between the two transportation pioneers comes years after a contentious legal battle between the two giants. Back in 2017, Waymo sued Uber accusing the company of using trade secrets after one of their former employees began working for them. They reached a $245 stock settlement the following year. 

Autonomous cars, meanwhile, continue to be a polarizing and sometimes deadly problem in major cities. They’ve become a menace in places like San Francisco where they sometimes stop in the middle of the street and block traffic; one fed-up resident even smashed one of them with a hammer. 

Phoenix residents will have the option to decline Waymo rides if Uber matches them with one of their cars, but don’t be surprised if you see more on the road.