Uber has officially entered a new stage of its ride-hailing saga in Austin, Texas, and it’s all about self-driving cars. Yes, you read that right, unchained from human chauffeurs and propelled by algorithms!

This autonomous revolution springs from the fresh partnership between Uber and Waymo, the robotic whiz kids that were once part of Google’s secret nerd lair. With this alliance, Waymo is ready to roll out its fleet of robotic taxis in Austin, adding a shiny new feature to the Uber app. If you’re in Austin, starting Tuesday, get ready for your selfie with a robot as it picks you up!

Waymo isn’t just dipping its toes in the Austin waters, either. They’ve set their sights on Atlanta next, because why not bombard every city with the future of transport? And let’s be real: nothing screams “high-tech” louder than a robot vehicle gliding silently through the streets while you slurp your oat milk latte.

But don’t worry, human-driven cars aren’t going extinct just yet. Uber will still have its relatively flawed fleet of people driving people around. For those adventurous souls curious to test the waters of this cutting-edge tech, there’s an easy option in the app to request a Waymo robotaxi. If they happen to send a self-driving car to your location, you’ll even get a heads-up!

And what’s the tea on Waymo’s success? They’re boasting 200,000 paid rides weekly, a massive jump from just 10,000 rides two years ago. It’s almost like people are curious about something that isn’t an overpriced avocado toast.

In the midst of this driverless renaissance, Uber’s traditional rival, Lyft, is also throwing its hat into the ring, planning to unleash robot taxis in Atlanta, proving they too want a piece of the profit pie before the robots take over completely.

Safety seems to be on Waymo’s side, unlike General Motors, which saw its self-driving efforts falter after a rather infamous incident involving a car and a pedestrian. Let’s just say that’s not quite the look you want when you’re marketing the future of transportation.

For now, enjoy the ride, whether it’s driven by a human or an AI. Just make sure your next trip fits your vibe, cruising with a robot or debating the merits of capitalism with an unbothered human driver. Dive into the future, one self-driving adventure at a time!