Uber customers in Austin may notice a new offer when they open the app and hail a ride: an invitation to signal their interest in a Waymo robotaxi. For

Now it appears Waymo and Uber are one step closer to that official launch. As part of the partnership, Uber will manage tasks like vehicle cleaning and repair, while "Waymo will c

Uber is inviting customers to join an interest list if they want to ride in a Waymo robotaxi.

Uber Technologies Inc. has set up a waitlist for customers interested in requesting a driverless Waymo vehicle in Austin, ahead of a planned launch later this year.

Once a user opts in, they'll be more likely to catch a ride with Waymo's fleet of autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-Pace cars, per Uber. Riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric could get a ride from a Waymo car for the same rate. Riders can also unlock the vehicle and start the trip within the Uber app.

The electric, self-driving vehicles prepare to merge onto California’s 405 freeway — but have already driven 1.9 million miles in L.A., since beginning there in November. They will, for now, carry staffers only.

Uber is opening its "interest list" for riders in Austin, Texas who want to try Waymo robotaxi service there soon. Riders in Austin will be able to travel across 37 square miles of the city when Uber and Waymo fully launch the service.