Waymo is considering a plan to unwind its robotaxi partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta.

TechCrunch reported on Thursday that Waymo told Uber it intends to operate robotaxis through its own app in the two markets from January 2028, separate from existing services offered through Uber.

Uber said its contract with Waymo covering Austin and Atlanta ends in May 2028. The companies currently offer Alphabet-owned Waymo robotaxis through Uber's ride-hailing service.

The two companies already ended cooperation in Phoenix earlier this year.

Tensions between the companies have grown over recent months. Earlier this year, Uber Chief Technology Officer Praveen Neppalli (프라빈 네팔리) posted video of Waymo robotaxis driving and described them as unsafe and scary. On a May earnings conference call, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi (다라 코스로샤히) did not mention the company directly but criticised robotaxi driving in school zones and emergencies in a roundabout way.

The two companies have also clashed several times over policy issues surrounding robotaxi regulation. Waymo took an opposing position to Uber in related policy debates. Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.