📰 Waymo and Uber Scale Up in the Robotaxi Race

Waymo opens a factory for thousands of autonomous cars, while Uber and WeRide expand into 15 cities. The race for autonomous transport is speeding up. But who will lead?

May 06, 2025

For a long time, robotaxis felt like something from a science fiction movie, interesting, but far away. But here we are in 2025, and things are moving fast. Just yesterday, two major announcements from Waymo and Uber made it clear: driverless cars are no longer just a test. They’re getting ready to hit the streets in a big way.

Waymo builds a robotaxi factory

Waymo GOOGL 0.00%↑, the self-driving tech company owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, just opened a massive new factory in Mesa, Arizona. It’s designed to produce thousands of autonomous vehicles every year, starting with more than 2,000 and ramping up from there. These vehicles are based on the Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV. After they arrive at the factory, Waymo and partner Magna install the latest self-driving system. And here’s the impressive part: according to Waymo, the vehicles can start picking up passengers within just 30 minutes of leaving the factory.

Why Arizona? The dry weather makes it easier to test and validate the vehicles. Plus, the location is close to Waymo’s existing robotaxi markets, like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Austin. Later this year, the factory will also start preparing a new model: the Zeekr RT, featuring Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system.

Uber and WeRide expand their robotaxi service

At the same time, Uber UBER 0.00%↑ and Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide are expanding their commercial robotaxi partnership. They already launched a service in Abu Dhabi, and now they’re rolling out to 15 more cities over the next five years, focusing on areas outside the U.S. and China, including Europe.

Here’s how the partnership works:

WeRide provides the autonomous vehicles and driving tech.
Uber connects users through its app and handles trip logistics.
Local partners often help operate and maintain the vehicles.

This is part of Uber’s broader strategy: instead of building its own self-driving cars, it’s teaming up with multiple tech partners. In the past two years, Uber has announced more than 15 of these partnerships, including with Waymo, May Mobility, Volkswagen, and Momenta.

The market is moving quickly

Why is everything accelerating now? For years, robotaxis were stuck in the testing phase, but that’s changing quickly. The technology is finally ready for real-world use, more cities are starting to approve autonomous vehicles on public roads, and investors are pushing hard for actual results. The focus has shifted from lab tests to large-scale rollout, and companies are responding fast.

Big names in tech and transportation are now racing to take the lead:

Waymo has been in the game the longest. Its self-driving system is considered one of the most advanced, and with its new factory in Arizona, the company is ready to scale. It already runs commercial robotaxi services in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin.
Uber & WeRide are taking a partnership-first approach. Uber doesn’t make its own vehicles, but by teaming up with WeRide and others, it can launch driverless services quickly and globally. Their next move: expanding to 15 new cities in the coming years.
Tesla is aiming to launch its first dedicated robotaxi later this year, a vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals. Tesla controls both the car and the software, which gives it a major edge. However, the company has made bold claims before that didn’t pan out. This launch could be a game-changer, if it actually happens.
Other players are still in the race, too. Cruise (backed by GM) is regrouping after safety issues. Amazon’s Zoox is testing futuristic vehicles, while Motional (a Hyundai joint venture) continues trials in select cities. In China, Baidu and AutoX are pushing forward with their own robotaxi programs.

What’s clear is that the robotaxi industry is no longer an experiment. It’s a global race, driven by big investments, rising demand, and serious ambition.

Who will win the robotaxi race?

The biggest takeaway? Robotaxis are no longer some distant dream. Waymo is building them by the thousands. Uber is striking global deals and launching services city by city. Tesla is gearing up to show the world its own bold take on autonomous transport. Cities are opening up, regulations are shifting, and the technology is finally ready.

Right now, Waymo seems to have the technical lead, with the most advanced system and a clear plan to scale. Uber is best positioned globally, thanks to its massive platform and flexible strategy. And Tesla remains the wild card, if it can deliver on its promises, it could still flip the whole game. But the race is far from over.

Different markets may crown different winners. Some cities might favor trusted platforms like Uber. Others could lean into fully owned ecosystems like Waymo’s. And Tesla’s approach, if it works, might unlock an entirely new kind of mobility model. In the end, there may not be just one winner. There’s room for multiple players to claim a share of the driverless future. What’s clear is this: the robotaxi race is real, the momentum is building, and the finish line is still wide open.

Source: TechCrunch, Uber Press Release

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