Home / Technology / Uber's AV Comeback: 30+ Global Partnerships
Uber's AV Comeback: 30+ Global Partnerships
1 Aug
Summary
- Uber partners with over 30 AV companies globally.
- Past AV efforts faced setbacks including lawsuits and a fatal crash.
- Uber strategically reinvested in AVs after focusing on core business.
Uber has embarked on a substantial global expansion in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, forging partnerships with over 30 companies since 2020. This strategy follows a period where Uber scaled back its internal AV development after significant setbacks, including a fatal crash in 2018 and a trade secrets lawsuit. In 2020, Uber sold its AV unit, ATG, to Aurora, retaining an equity stake.
The company has since re-engaged, with deal-making accelerating in 2024. Partnerships span diverse areas, from ride-hailing and delivery robots to self-driving trucks and premium robotaxi services. Notable collaborations include Aurora for freight, Autobrains for robotaxis in Munich, and Avride for sidewalk delivery robots and robotaxis in Dallas. Investments have been made in companies like Lucid and Nuro, with plans for premium robotaxi services.
Uber's AV strategy now encompasses global markets, with deployments planned in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Collaborations with Baidu, WeRide, and Pony.ai highlight this international reach. Even as some partnerships, like the one with Cruise, dissolved due to company closures, Uber continues to integrate AV technology through its vast platform, signaling a determined long-term commitment to the future of autonomous mobility.
