Uber’s new autonomous vehicle division is about survival and opportunity
Source: TechCrunch
Uber has launched a new division called Uber Autonomous Solutions to handle all tasks associated with operating robotaxis, self‑driving trucks, and sidewalk delivery robots—including software, support services, and fleet operations.
Partnerships and Investments
Uber has built relationships with nearly two dozen autonomous‑vehicle technology companies across a range of use cases. Notable partnerships and investments include:
- Lucid and Nuro – multi‑million‑dollar investment to build robotaxi services.
TechCrunch article - Waabi – $1 billion raise and expansion into robotaxis with Uber.
TechCrunch article - WeRide (China) – $100 million investment to fund robotaxi expansion across 15+ cities.
TechCrunch article - Uber AV Labs – a specialized engineering team that gathers driving data for robotaxi partners.
TechCrunch article
Objectives and Services
“AV tech teams should be able to focus on what they do best: building software that can safely power an autonomous world,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery.
Uber Autonomous Solutions aims to add operational depth wherever partners need it—covering demand generation, rider experience, customer support, and day‑to‑day fleet management. The goal is to help partners:
- Reduce cost per mile
- Accelerate time‑to‑market
Uber plans to support robotaxi deployments in more than 15 cities by the end of this year.
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Infrastructure and Data Collection
The division will manage infrastructure such as:
- Training data and high‑definition mapping
- Fleet financing and regulatory services
- Navigation of complex events and venues
Uber is using a fleet of specially equipped Lucid vehicles to collect data that can be shared with partners for AI training.
Regulatory and Fleet Management
Uber intends to take over fleet management, which includes:
- Remote assistance for AVs (a topic of recent congressional scrutiny over concerns that Waymo uses workers overseas).
TechCrunch article - Insurance and staffing for on‑the‑ground support
Background
- In 2020, Uber sold its in‑house AV development unit Uber ATG after internal struggles and a fatal pedestrian incident. The sale was part of a complex deal with Aurora.
TechCrunch article - Since then, Uber has pursued partnerships with Waymo, Baidu, Momenta, Pony.ai, Cartken, Starship, Serve, Wayve, AVride, and Motional.
- Uber plans to launch a robotaxi service with Volkswagen in Los Angeles by the end of 2026, with full driverless operation slated for 2027.