Key facts
- Uber is partnering with over 30 autonomous vehicle (AV) companies globally.
- The company previously developed its own AV technology but sold its unit to Aurora in 2020.
- Uber is now focusing on collaborations for robotaxis and autonomous delivery.
- Key partners include Aurora for trucking, Autobrains for robotaxis, and Avride for delivery robots and robotaxis.
- The company has made direct investments in several AV firms, including Avomo and Lucid.
Uber is actively building a global autonomous vehicle (AV) network through a strategy of partnerships and investments, marking a return to the AV space after divesting its internal development unit.
The company, which previously developed its own AV technology under the Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) founded in 2014 and later acquired Otto, faced significant setbacks including a trade secrets lawsuit from Waymo and a fatal crash in 2018. In 2020, Uber sold ATG to Aurora, retaining an equity stake.
Since 2022, Uber has re-entered the AV landscape, accelerating its efforts in 2024. The company has now engaged with over 30 AV firms worldwide. Key collaborations include a multi-year deal with Aurora for autonomous trucking via Uber Freight, and a planned robotaxi program in Munich with Autobrains using Nvidia's platform.
Uber has also taken direct stakes in companies like Avomo, an autonomous fleet operator managing services for various Uber AV partnerships, and Avride, a Yandex spinout. The partnership with Avride involves sidewalk delivery robots and robotaxis, with significant investments announced. Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis are slated for deployment on Uber's platform outside the U.S. and China, with testing planned in London.
Other partnerships include Cartken for sidewalk delivery robots, Coco for food delivery in Los Angeles and Miami, and a past collaboration with GM's Cruise, which has since ceased robotaxi operations. Uber has also invested in drone delivery company Flytrex and is working with Hertz and Lucid (using Nuro's system) to manage and deploy its premium robotaxi fleet.