Uber CEO Rejects Waymo Breakup Talk Amid Robotaxi Race

Uber chief Dara Khosrowshahi shot down rumors of a Waymo breakup on 5 August 2026, calling the partnership 'very strong' even after the two shut down their Phoenix robotaxi service earlier this year. Anyone tracking who ends up controlling future robotaxi rides should watch this rivalry closely.

What actually happened

During a 5 August 2026 earnings call, Khosrowshahi told analysts Waymo remains 'a very important partner,' noting the two firms still run rides together in Austin and Atlanta, according to earlier reporting. He said robotaxi trips make up 'less than 0.5 percent' of Uber's total ride volume. Uber has pledged more than $10 billion (USD) toward building its robotaxi business over time. Beyond Waymo, Uber already partners with Zoox, Wayve, Avride, Nuro, Motional and Waabi. Khosrowshahi put the strategy plainly: 'We want to make sure that we're not dependent on one partner,' pointing to a growing 'plethora of newer players in the AV ecosystem.'

How we got here

The Phoenix shutdown earlier this year fueled speculation of a full split. Uber's CTO had described a 'scary Waymo moment' online, and an internal white paper argued for blending human drivers with autonomous ones rather than going all-AV, per that same account. Last month, the two companies landed on opposite sides of a Washington, DC bill on legalizing robotaxi services, with Waymo backing it and Uber pushing a hybrid alternative. Yet operations in Austin and Atlanta never stopped, and Khosrowshahi expects that to hold through next year.

Why this matters for you

For riders, Waymo's driverless cars stay bookable through the Uber app in select cities, at least through next year. For Uber, spreading deals across six other AV makers limits exposure to any single supplier's setbacks or price hikes. Startups like Zoox and Waabi gain a path to scale through Uber's multi-partner approach. Waymo keeps leverage by running solo in other markets. For investors, robotaxis still represent a sliver of Uber's total ride volume today.

The bigger question

Khosrowshahi frames Uber and Waymo as close allies, even as Uber diversifies toward rival AV makers and Waymo proves it can operate without Uber in some cities. As several self-driving companies reach commercial scale, will ride-hailing apps end up needing robotaxi builders more than those builders need the apps?

What to watch

Uber and Waymo plan to keep running joint rides in Austin and Atlanta through next year, based on Khosrowshahi's 5 August 2026 comments. Watch Uber's next earnings call for updates on its AV partner lineup, plus any movement on the Washington, DC robotaxi bill. bonuz.market will keep tracking how this rivalry shapes the hardware behind autonomous rides.