Uber reduces driver recruitment in robotaxi cities

• Uber is recruiting fewer ride-hailing drivers in some cities where autonomous vehicles are deployed.
• CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated this strategy aims to ensure existing drivers can earn more.
• The company believes autonomous vehicles are adding incremental demand to the platform.
• Human drivers in markets with driverless cars are reportedly busier and earning more.
• Uber is reducing marketing spend in some cities while seeing organic driver sign-ups increase.

Uber is reducing its recruitment efforts for ride-hailing drivers in certain cities where autonomous vehicles (AVs) are becoming more prevalent, according to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. This strategy is intended to ensure that experienced drivers already on the platform continue to earn a sufficient income. Khosrowshahi indicated that the introduction of AVs, such as those from Waymo, is actually increasing overall demand for Uber's services, leading to human drivers in these markets being busier and earning more money. An Uber spokesperson confirmed that both reduced marketing spend in some cities and an increase in organic driver sign-ups due to rising rider demand can be true simultaneously. Despite the shift in recruitment strategy, Uber maintains that human drivers will remain essential, with COO Andrew Macdonald previously suggesting that the total number of Uber drivers could increase in the coming years as ride-hailing becomes a more attractive alternative to car ownership. The company's commitment to Nuro for 35,000 robotaxis and the phased rollout of driverless testing and passenger services also underscore its long-term strategy in autonomous mobility.