ride-hailing

Grab has revised its full-year financial projections upward following a strong second quarter, driven by resilient consumer demand and strategic AI integration. The super-app reported record results, including a 22% revenue growth and a significant increase in operating profit. Ride-hailing demand surged 28% year-on-year. The company also anticipates completing its acquisition of Delivery Hero’s foodpanda business in Taiwan.

Waymo is ending its exclusive ride-hailing partnership with Uber in Atlanta and Austin by January 2028, opting to launch its own Waymo app. While continuing to offer Waymo rides on Uber through May 2028, this move signifies Waymo’s desire for direct customer engagement and broader market control. Uber will explore integrating other AV partners, as the autonomous vehicle sector intensifies with multiple companies developing independent platforms. The shift reflects a maturing AV industry towards diversified strategies and direct consumer interaction.

Waymo’s pilot robotaxi program with Uber in Phoenix has ended, with learnings being applied to expanded operations in Austin and Atlanta, where Waymo vehicles are exclusively on Uber. Waymo is diversifying partnerships, using Phoenix vehicles for DoorDash deliveries and planning a non-exclusive Lyft launch in Nashville. This signals a strategic shift in the maturing AV market towards broader platform access, as Uber expands its AV collaborations across multiple cities and competitors like Zoox intensify efforts.

Waymo is launching “Waymo Premier,” a $29.99 monthly subscription for frequent riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. This tiered service offers prioritized rides, free cancellations, and loyalty credits. The move aims to boost recurring revenue and support Waymo’s expansion amidst significant investment in the autonomous driving industry. This strategy is crucial as Waymo seeks to achieve profitability in a capital-intensive market.

Dubai has granted Baidu’s Apollo Go the emirate’s first permit for fully driverless vehicle testing, paving the way for a commercial launch as early as Q1 2026. This landmark approval allows Apollo Go to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads without a safety driver. The company also launched its first overseas operations and management hub, Apollo Go Park, in Dubai, signaling a significant expansion into international markets. This collaboration underscores Dubai’s commitment to advancing autonomous mobility and smart city initiatives.

A widespread power outage in San Francisco forced Waymo to temporarily halt its fully autonomous ride-hailing services. The disruption, caused by a substation fire, left many streets impassable and Waymo vehicles stalled. While power is largely restored, the incident highlights the challenges of AV deployment in such scenarios. Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed Tesla’s robotaxis were unaffected, though Tesla currently requires human supervision for its ride-hailing services in the area.

Uber launches Uber Ski, targeting the winter tourism market by offering transportation to nearly 40 ski resorts in the US, Canada, Switzerland, and France, available through March. Partnering with Vail Resorts, users can book rides directly to resorts and purchase Epic Passes via the app. Uber also enhances the user experience with UberXL/XXL options for gear and expands Uber Share to major airports, potentially cutting costs. They have released the “Send a Ride” option, similar to the Uber Eats gifting function.

Marti Technologies, Inc., Türkiye’s leading mobility super-app, will be included in the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI) effective September 22, 2025. This inclusion signifies growing investor confidence and expands Marti’s reach to index-tracking funds and active investors seeking exposure to the Turkish economy. Marti’s CEO views this as validation of their business model. Analysts are cautiously optimistic, citing Marti’s market position and technological capabilities, despite economic risks. The company will focus on expanding services and deepening market penetration.

The DOJ is suing Uber, alleging ADA violations due to systemic discrimination against riders with disabilities. The lawsuit claims Uber drivers routinely deny service to individuals with service animals or requiring wheelchairs, and impose unwarranted fees. The DOJ alleges discriminatory driver behavior includes refusals, inappropriate questioning and impermissible surcharges. Uber denies the allegations, citing its zero-tolerance policy and accessibility features. The DOJ argues Uber’s efforts are insufficient under the ADA. The lawsuit could have significant financial and operational consequences for Uber and impact the ride-hailing industry’s responsibility in ensuring equal access for users with disabilities.

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service, partnering with Uber in Atlanta and Austin, while starting test drives in Denver and Seattle with safety drivers. These new locations complement Waymo’s existing commercial operations in major US cities. In some cities, Waymo can be hailed via Uber; elsewhere, the Waymo One app is required. The test fleet includes electric vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace and Geely Zeekr AV. Waymo faces competition from Apollo Go and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle market.