Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Alphabet Inc.-backed (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) Robotaxi operator Waymo have ended their partnership in Phoenix, Arizona, with Uber reportedly looking for a different Robotaxi partner in the city. Uber, Waymo Part Ways
On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the two companies had ended their partnership in Phoenix, where Waymo vehicles were also used for food deliveries. The report then said that Uber intends to announce a new partnership in the area with an unnamed company.
Uber and Waymo did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.
The report said that Waymo's food delivery partnership ended in May last year, while the Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership ended in May this year. Waymo has signed an agreement with DoorDash Inc. (NASDAQ: DASH) and also a public transit deal with Via Transportation Inc. (NYSE: VIA), the report mentioned.
Uber's Robotaxi Push
Uber has been expanding its Robotaxi partnerships with various companies, including Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID). Still, according to an investor note by BTIG analyst Jake Fuller, the company's growing list of autonomous vehicle (AV) partnerships has not yet shifted investor sentiment meaningfully.
The company had earlier also filed a lawsuit seeking to stop New York City from enforcing a new rule that would limit when large ride-hailing platforms can remove drivers.
Waymo Safer Than Tesla?
Meanwhile, investor Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki hailed Waymo's Robotaxi exploits over Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), saying that it was "way safer" than the latter on the streets of Los Angeles.
Waymo also revealed a new "Premier" membership tier for frequent customers of the company's service. The subscription, which is available for $29.99/month, promises earlier access to Waymo's service in new areas, as well as faster pickups.