Uber Accelerates Autonomous Vehicle Expansion with Rivian, Lucid, and WeRide

Multi-Billion Dollar Investments in EV Manufacturers

Uber is heavily backing electric vehicle manufacturers to secure its future robotaxi fleet. The company announced an initial $300 million investment in Rivian to acquire 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis, targeting a 2028 rollout in San Francisco and Miami, with an option for 40,000 additional units. Concurrently, Uber increased its stake in Lucid Group by $200 million, bringing its total investment to $500 million, and expanded its commitment to purchase over 35,000 Lucid vehicles for planned autonomous services arriving in the Bay Area in the second half of 2026.

Commercial Robotaxi Operations Launch in Dubai

In collaboration with WeRide, Uber launched fully driverless Robotaxi fare-charging operations in Dubai in March 2026. The Level 4 commercial service operates without a vehicle operator on board across the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah districts, enabling riders to book trips directly through the Uber app. This deployment forms part of a broader commitment to introduce at least 1,200 robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, aligning with the emirate's ambition to make 25% of all journeys autonomous by 2030.

A Capital-Light Autonomy Strategy

Uber's approach to autonomy relies on strategic partnerships and minority stakes rather than developing the technology entirely in-house. A recent filing revealed Uber holds a 5.82% beneficial ownership in WeRide's Class A ordinary shares. This strategy allows the company to secure exclusive fleet access on its network while transferring the primary development risks and capital burdens to partners like Rivian, which recently abandoned its 2027 profitability goal to fund its autonomous driving efforts.