Uber Technologies has launched an autonomous solutions arm offering tools to help partners build and bring to market autonomous vehicles (AV) globally.
Uber has lofty ambitions for the AV segment, with the company seeking to become the largest facilitator of AV trips around the world.
The company has recently announced robotaxi partnerships with Canada-based self-driving startup Waabi, Baidu, WeRide and is testing robotaxis with Nuro and Lucid. It is also an investor in artificial intelligence-powered AV company Wayve’s $1.2 billion funding round announced this week.
Uber Air powered by Joby was also unveiled this week in Dubai. The app gives riders a preview of booking an all-electric air taxi within the Uber app once Joby carries its first passengers later this year. Uber initially announced plans to integrate Joby’s mobility services into its app in September 2025.
In addition to access to demand, Uber Autonomous Solutions aims to provide partners with “the capabilities for true end-to-end commercialization, reducing cost per mile while increasing speed to market.”
“Autonomous technology has remarkable potential to make transportation safer and more affordable,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber.
“Innovation in autonomy is moving quickly, but meaningful commercialization will take much longer. For more than a decade, Uber has helped set the standard for on-demand mobility and built the capabilities that make ‘push a button and get a ride’ work at global scale. With Uber Autonomous Solutions, we’re externalizing these hard-won competencies for our partners.”
Sarfraz Maredia, global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, said the autonomous solution would free up technology teams to focus on building software.
“Uber Autonomous Solutions is designed to complement their strengths by providing operational depth wherever they need it–whether that’s demand generation, rider experience, customer support or managing the day-to-day realities of running a real-world fleet. When partners plug into Uber’s network, they can scale more efficiently, operate more reliably and move faster.”
Uber Autonomous Solutions is focused on three areas: infrastructure, user experience and fleet operations. The infrastructure element combines data, mapping, regulatory access and financing for AV partners to bring services to market.
User experience focuses on in-car product design, providing riders with access to sound temperature and assistance. The in-car experience will be deployed in the Nuro-Lucid-Uber robotaxi, which launches later this year. The user experience unit also focuses on new products to offer flexibility and meet demand around AV trips.
Fleet operations helps AV partners manage fleets and ensure efficiency by providing real-time insight. It also offers AV insurance.
Separately, Uber is adding parking reservations to its following the acquisition of SpotHero for an undisclosed amount.
“We’ve built Uber around giving people more ways to get around without needing a car. But for the moments when people do choose to drive, SpotHero on the Uber app will make the experience easier than ever and bring more people into the Uber ecosystem,” Khosrowshahi said.
“We’ve spent 15 years building SpotHero into the most trusted, high-performing digital parking network in North America. Joining forces with Uber will allow us to bring that experience to millions more drivers and make parking a natural part of the Uber platform,” said Mark Lawrence, CEO of SpotHero.