Uber has quietly assembled a sprawling network of autonomous vehicle partnerships, with deals spanning robotaxis, delivery robots, and self-driving trucks. Over the past two years, the ride-hailing giant has partnered with—and in some cases directly invested in—more than 30 companies in the AV space, taking a distinctly global approach.

This marks a dramatic reversal from just a few years ago, when Uber abandoned its own self-driving ambitions after a series of setbacks. Now, under CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber is positioning itself as the platform that connects AV technology with riders and shippers worldwide, without bearing the full cost of developing the technology itself.

What's New / Specs

Uber's AV strategy is multi-pronged, covering robotaxis, autonomous delivery, and freight. Here's a breakdown of the key partnerships and investments:

  • Aurora: Uber sold its self-driving unit to Aurora in 2020 and retains a 19.7% Class A equity stake. In June 2024, Uber Freight expanded its collaboration with Aurora, and by May 2025, Aurora's self-driving trucks were completing roundtrip hauls between Dallas and Houston via the Uber Freight platform.
  • Autobrains: In June 2026, Uber and Autobrains announced plans to launch a robotaxi program in Munich, pending regulatory approval. The vehicles will use Autobrains' agentic AI driving system on Nvidia's Drive Hyperion platform.
  • Avomo: Uber holds a 30% stake in this European fleet operator, which manages fleet services for the Waymo-Uber partnership in Austin and the WeRide partnership in Madrid.
  • Avride: This Yandex spinout has a multi-year deal with Uber for sidewalk delivery robots and robotaxis. Avride secured $375 million in investments and commercial commitments from Uber and Nebius. By end of 2025, Avride robotaxis were available on the Uber app in Dallas.
  • Baidu: Uber partnered with the Chinese tech giant in July 2025 to deploy thousands of Apollo Go robotaxis in markets outside the U.S. and mainland China, starting in Asia and the Middle East.
  • Cartken: This sidewalk delivery robot company has been working with Uber since 2022, expanding to commercial deliveries in Fairfax, Virginia, and Osaka, Japan.
  • Coco: Uber partnered with Coco in 2024 to use its sidewalk robots for Uber Eats deliveries in Los Angeles, expanding to Miami in April 2025.
  • Cruise: Uber and GM's Cruise announced a partnership in August 2024, but GM pulled the plug on Cruise's robotaxi business in December 2024, ending the deal.
  • Flytrex: Uber announced a partnership with drone delivery company Flytrex in September 2025, including a small undisclosed investment.
  • Hertz: Uber formed a strategic fleet partnership with Hertz and its affiliate Oro Mobility in April 2026 to manage a premium robotaxi service using Lucid vehicles equipped with Nuro's self-driving system.
  • Lucid: Uber invested $300 million in Lucid in 2025 and increased it by $200 million in April 2026, with a minimum order of 35,000 vehicles, including the upcoming mid-sized platform. Uber now owns more than 11% of Lucid.
  • May Mobility: This Michigan-based startup agreed to deploy its AVs through the Uber app starting in Arlington, Texas, with plans to expand to other U.S. markets.
  • Mercedes: In January 2026, Mercedes-Benz announced a collaboration with Nvidia to create a robotaxi ecosystem using self-driving S-Class sedans on the Uber platform.
  • Momenta: The Chinese AV company agreed to add its robotaxis to the Uber app in Europe starting in early 2026, with safety operators on board.
  • Motional: This Hyundai subsidiary has been working with Uber since 2021. In March 2026, Motional's self-driving Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles were added to the Uber app in Las Vegas, though human safety monitors are still on board.
  • New Horizon: A fleet management company involved in Uber's agreement with Baidu to bring Apollo Go to Dubai.
  • Nissan: Part of Uber's partnership with Wayve, with self-driving Nissan Leaf EVs planned for Tokyo.
  • Nuro: Nuro's self-driving system will power the premium robotaxi service using Lucid vehicles.

Beyond these, Uber has also partnered with WeRide in Madrid, Wayve for AI driving technology, and has made investments in other AV companies. The full list is extensive and constantly evolving.

Why It Matters

Uber's pivot from developing its own AV technology to partnering with a wide array of companies is a strategic masterstroke. By avoiding the massive R&D costs and regulatory hurdles of building its own fleet, Uber can focus on its core strengths: its massive user base, its logistics network, and its brand. This approach allows Uber to offer autonomous services in multiple markets simultaneously, leveraging the best technology for each region.

The global scope is particularly notable. Uber is partnering with Chinese companies like Baidu and Momenta, European players like Autobrains and Avomo, and U.S. firms like Aurora and Nuro. This diversity not only spreads risk but also positions Uber to navigate different regulatory environments and consumer preferences.

However, this strategy is not without challenges. Some partnerships, like the one with Cruise, have collapsed. Others, like Motional, have yet to achieve fully driverless operation. Regulatory approval remains a hurdle in many markets, and safety concerns persist, as evidenced by the NHTSA investigation into Avride.

Uber's investments in companies like Lucid and Avride show a willingness to put real money behind its AV ambitions. The $500 million invested in Lucid alone signals a long-term commitment to the premium robotaxi market. This is not just a series of pilot programs; it's a strategic bet on the future of transportation.

Our Take

Uber's AV empire is a testament to the company's ability to adapt and reinvent itself. After the disastrous end of its own self-driving program, Uber has found a more sustainable path: becoming the platform that connects AV technology with the masses. This approach is reminiscent of how Uber disrupted the taxi industry—by not owning vehicles but by owning the network.

The breadth of partnerships is impressive, but it also raises questions about integration and quality control. Can Uber ensure a consistent experience across so many different technologies and operators? The answer may vary by market. In some cities, riders might get a seamless robotaxi experience; in others, they might encounter delays or technical glitches.

Another concern is the regulatory landscape. Autonomous vehicles are still heavily regulated, and Uber's ability to deploy these services will depend on local approvals. The partnership with Baidu, for example, has faced delays in London, highlighting the challenges of navigating international regulations.

Despite these challenges, Uber's AV strategy is a smart bet. By diversifying its partners, Uber is hedging against the failure of any single technology or company. It's also positioning itself to be the go-to platform for AV companies looking to reach a wide audience. If autonomous vehicles are indeed the future, Uber is making sure it's at the center of it.

One thing is clear: Uber is no longer just a ride-hailing company. It's building an autonomous vehicle empire, and it's doing so by partnering with everyone who matters in the space.

FAQ

What is Uber's AV strategy?

Uber's strategy is to partner with and invest in multiple autonomous vehicle companies rather than developing its own technology. This allows Uber to offer AV services across different markets and use cases, from robotaxis to delivery robots to self-driving trucks, without bearing the full cost of development.

Which companies has Uber invested in?

Uber has made direct investments in several AV companies, including a 19.7% stake in Aurora, a 30% stake in Avomo, and more than 11% of Lucid Motors. It also invested $375 million in Avride alongside Nebius, and made smaller investments in companies like Flytrex.

Are Uber's autonomous vehicles fully driverless?

Note all of them. While Aurora's trucks are operating without anyone behind the wheel, many robotaxi services, such as those from Avride and Motional, still have human safety operators on board. The transition to fully driverless operation depends on regulatory approval and safety validation.

What happened to Uber's own self-driving program?

Uber developed its own AV technology through Uber ATG, but after a fatal crash in 2018 and other setbacks, the company sold the unit to Aurora in 2020. Uber now focuses on partnerships rather than in-house development.

How does Uber's partnership with Baidu work?

Uber and Baidu announced a multi-year strategic partnership in July 2025 to deploy thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis on the Uber platform in markets outside the U.S. and mainland China. The deployments were set to start in Asia and the Middle East, with testing planned in London.

Sources