Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Uber CEO Suggests Autonomous Vehicle Partnership with Waymo

The comments follow a recent court settlement with Waymo, as well as a fatal crash involving a self-driving Uber test vehicle in Arizona.

by Clayton Wong
June 1, 2018
Uber CEO Suggests Autonomous Vehicle Partnership with Waymo

Waymo has agreed to purchase up to 62,000 Fiat Chrysler minivans as part of its ride-hailing operations.

Photo courtesy of Waymo. 

1 min to read


Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at the Code Conference yesterday that the ride-hailing company was in talks with Google's Waymo to add self-driving vehicles to Uber, The Next Web reports.

The announcement follows a court settlement between Uber and Waymo, where Uber faced allegations that it stole information from Waymo to build its own self-driving vehicles.

Ad Loading...

Uber has also faced recent controversy after one of its autonomous test cars struck and killed a cyclist in Tempe, Ariz. The ride-hailing company since announced it will end its test program in the state, following Arizona Govenor Doug Ducey essentially banning the San Francisco-based company from operating its test cars in his state.

Khosrowshahi announced that Uber will resume testing self-driving vehicles in the summer in Pittsburg, San Francisco, and Sacramento, Calif. He also confirmed plans to take the ride-hailing company public in 2019.

Recenlty, Waymo entered an agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to purchase as many as 62,000 minivans for its ride-hailing service.


Related: Uber's Self-Driving Vehicles Rely on Humans to Brake in Emergencies



More Rental Operations

A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental OperationsSeptember 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental OperationsSeptember 11, 2026

European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country

Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.

Read More →
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 8, 2026

Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?

As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental OperationsSeptember 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...