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 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.

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 riders in Austin can now increase their chances of being matched with a fully autonomous vehicle for trips around town. Why it matters: Waymo has been testing driverless taxi services in Austin since last year,