Waymo self-driving cars are delivering Uber Eats orders for first time

Uber Eats customers could start receiving orders delivered by a Waymo self-driving car for the first time in the Phoenix metro area.

The new service, which rolls out Wednesday, marks the official launch of Uber and Waymo’s delivery partnership and is part of a broader, multi-year collaboration between the two companies unveiled last year. In October, Uber began offering rides in Waymo’s self-driving vehicles in Phoenix.

For Uber Eats, Phoenix is ​​the seventh location offering autonomous deliveries, but the first location where the delivery app will use Waymo’s vehicles. Uber Eats has already partnered with robotics companies Cartken, Motional, Nuro and Serve Robotics to pilot autonomous deliveries in other markets.

The latest Arizona deal is limited to Uber Eats users in Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa and Tempe, with orders available from select merchants in those cities. An Uber spokesperson told CNBC that the list of service areas is growing and more restaurants will be eligible for autonomous deliveries in the coming weeks.

Orders will be delivered via Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles, the spokesperson said, adding that Waymo, which is owned Alphabetdoes not disclose the size of its fleet.

Uber Eats users in areas served by Waymo can choose to have their items delivered by a courier. With Waymo, standard fees will apply but customers will not be charged for tips, the Uber spokesperson said.

“The addition of food delivery to Uber and Waymo’s ongoing partnership reflects both companies’ mission to encourage zero-emission travel and unlock greater innovation for consumers and merchants in Phoenix and beyond” , Uber said in a blog post.

Uber has not said whether it plans to expand Waymo deliveries to more cities in the future. Beyond Phoenix, Waymo’s main ride-sharing service is available in parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco.