Here's how to sign up for a driverless Uber ride in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Driverless Ubers are right around the corner for Austinites, as Uber and Waymo gear up for their partnership launch in the Texas capital.

Beginning Wednesday, Uber and Waymo launched their interest list for Austin customers ahead of a public launch later this year. With the unveiling of the interest list, customers will receive updates from Uber and have a heightened chance of being linked with a Waymo vehicle on a future ride-hailing trip, according to Uber’s announcement.

Those interested can update their Uber app before finding the interest list under account settings, tucked away in the “autonomous vehicles” section under ride preferences. Waymo’s all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will be the cars used in the collaboration.

Once launched, Uber x Waymo will operate co-branded vehicles in a 37-square-mile radius of Austin, with trips available between the Hyde Park, downtown and Montopolis areas. Uber and Waymo are eyeing future expansion opportunities into additional city territories down the road, Uber confirmed.

Pricing for a driverless rideshare will match the same rates for an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or an Uber Comfort Electric vehicle. When booking a driverless rideshare, riders can unlock the Waymo vehicle and begin their trip from the Uber app.

The countdown is on: Waymo’s autonomous rides are coming to Austin soon—only on Uber,” said Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s senior vice president of mobility and business operations, in the release. “We’re excited to partner with Waymo as we build the future of transportation, which will combine the best of both autonomous and human drivers in the years ahead.” 

Austin joins Atlanta as the two markets included in the Uber x Waymo rollout this year. More details on that collaboration are available online.

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