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

The fast expansion of Waymo’s driverless car service is growing competition for Uber. The companies are also partners.

Uber is one step closer to letting customers hail a self-driving vehicle in Austin, Texas, through its app. The company on Wednesday opened up its interest list so that curious riders can declare their interest in potentially being matched with a Waymo robotaxi,

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

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.

Uber is opening its "interest list" for riders in Austin, Texas, who want to try the 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.

Uber users in Austin can now opt in to increase their chances of being matched with a Waymo vehicle. Photo: Courtesy of Uber