Uber plans to invest approximately $10 billion over the next few years to deploy 120,000 autonomous vehicles and expects to launch robotaxi services in at least 15 cities this year.
Instead of developing its own self-driving system, Uber aims to serve as a platform connecting various AV technologies to riders. This approach places Uber in direct competition with Alphabet’s Waymo and Tesla as they commercialize self-driving technology. Uber discontinued its autonomous vehicle program in 2020.
Uber states that this investment is supported by strong cash flow from its core business, including a record $2.8 billion in free cash flow in the second quarter.
Uber’s Platform Strategy and Wayve Partnership
Rather than developing a single in-house autonomous driving system, Uber seeks to become the primary platform connecting multiple AV technologies to riders. After discontinuing its autonomous vehicle program in 2020 as part of cost-cutting measures, Uber has shifted to serving as an intermediary for AV startups globally.
This includes agreeing to invest in vehicle fleets and taking equity stakes in companies such as Zoox, Rivian, and Lucid, a change from Uber’s earlier asset-light approach.
Uber is also deploying hundreds of sensor-equipped vehicles to collect driving data for its partners, who use the information to train and refine their self-driving systems. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that Uber’s strong cash generation enables this investment.
Over the past 12 months, free cash flow reached approximately $10.1 billion as bookings increased. “We’re investing from a position of strength, as we accelerate our cross-platform strategy at a global scale and build the world’s largest platform for autonomous vehicles,” he said. “Our ambition is clear: to become the world’s leading commercialization platform for autonomous mobility.
A key partnership is with Wayve, a UK-based autonomous driving company specializing in software for complex urban environments. Uber announced that Wayve has received permits from Transport for London to launch a commercial robotaxi service with a supervising driver present.
“I believe that it’s the UK’s first license for AV technology to operate and a big step forward for the UK,” Wayve CEO Alex Kendall told the Financial Times, adding that the approval should let the two companies offer rides to Londoners in “a matter of weeks.
” Transport for London said it had cleared 15 of Wayve’s modified Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles to operate with a safety driver while the technology is tested on public roads.
What Uber’s Robotaxi Push Means for Investors
Uber’s robotaxi initiative comes as investors consider the impact of autonomous vehicles on its core ride-hailing business. The stock is down 13% in 2026, with some shareholders concerned that robotaxis could disrupt the current model reliant on human drivers.
Uber contends that its base of over 200 million customers and its ability to route trips across multiple services will provide a competitive advantage as AVs become more prevalent.
CFO Balaji Krishnamurthy stated that Uber will continue leveraging its balance sheet to support growth initiatives, including AVs and international expansion. He cited Uber’s €13 billion offer for German delivery group Delivery Hero, noting that Uber has already paid approximately $4 billion for a 37% stake ahead of a formal bid.
In the broader robotaxi market, Uber’s approach represents a clear focus on aggregation rather than in-house development:
- Uber supports multiple AV providers instead of relying on a single system, spreading risk across partners such as Wayve, Zoox, Rivian, and Lucid.
- The London permits enable supervised commercial robotaxi rides in a major market, with a safety driver present during testing.
- The success of this strategy depends on Uber’s ability to convert partner technology into reliable services in busy urban environments.
The industry must still prove that driverless transport can be safe, scalable, and profitable. Uber has not published the full list of 15 cities targeted this year or a timeline for reaching the 120,000-vehicle goal.
What’s Still Unclear About Uber’s Robotaxi Plan
It remains unconfirmed whether the Delivery Hero deal will be completed or how quickly Wayve’s London service will expand beyond the initial 15 supervised vehicles. The next challenge will be determining if the platform-based strategy can translate technical progress into reliable service across the targeted cities.
