Uber partners with over 30 AV firms to build global robotaxi network

Uber has built a sprawling network of more than 30 autonomous vehicle partnerships and investments over the past two years, according to a TechCrunch report published on August 1, 2026. The ride-hailing giant is leveraging these deals to integrate self-driving technology across its platform globally, moving beyond its earlier failed in-house efforts.

The partnerships affect a wide range of companies, from robotaxi developers like Waymo and Aurora to sidewalk delivery robot firms such as Serve Robotics and Cartken. Uber's agreements span North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, involving automakers like Lucid Motors and Rivian, tech providers like Nvidia and Wayve, and fleet operators like Avomo and Hertz. For example, Uber invested $300 million in Rivian and plans to purchase 10,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis for a 2028 launch in San Francisco and Miami, while its deal with Nuro includes a total commitment of about $500 million.

This matters because it positions Uber as a central platform for autonomous mobility without developing its own technology, a strategy that could reshape urban transportation and logistics. After selling its self-driving unit to Aurora in 2020, Uber shifted to partnering with multiple AV companies, reducing risk while expanding its service offerings. The company's equity stakes and commercial agreements tie it to key players in the emerging robotaxi and delivery markets, potentially giving it a competitive edge as autonomous vehicles scale.

Specific figures highlight the scale: Uber owns 325.97 million Aurora Class A shares, a 19.7% stake, and invested $300 million in Lucid Motors, later adding another $200 million and increasing its minimum vehicle order to 35,000. Its partnership with Nvidia aims to launch a global fleet of Nvidia software-driven autonomous vehicles in 28 cities by 2028, starting in Los Angeles and San Francisco in early 2027. Uber also committed about $250 million in milestone-based capital to Waabi, which raised $1 billion in January 2026.

Uber's autonomous vehicle journey began with its own Advanced Technologies Group in 2014, but after a fatal crash in 2018 and legal battles, it sold the unit to Aurora in 2020. It re-entered the space in 2022 with a Nuro delivery partnership and accelerated deals in 2024 and 2025. Notable agreements include a multi-year deal with Avride in October 2024, a partnership with Baidu in July 2025 to deploy Apollo Go robotaxis outside the U.S. and China, and a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and Nvidia announced in January 2026 to create a robotaxi ecosystem using S-Class sedans.

Uber's robotaxi services are set to expand significantly. In March 2026, it announced plans with Rivian for a 2028 rollout, and with Wayve and Nissan to add self-driving Leaf EVs in Tokyo by late 2026. A partnership with Pony.ai and Verne will launch a commercial service in Zagreb, Croatia, while its deal with Volkswagen's MOIA aims for driverless operations in Los Angeles by 2027. However, some partnerships have faltered: Cruise's robotaxi business was shut down in December 2024, and Waymo ended its Phoenix partnership with Uber in July 2026.