Uber has introduced a new division, Uber Autonomous Solutions, to handle all tasks related to operating robotaxis, self-driving trucks, and delivery robots, offering software and support services. This move solidifies Uber’s ongoing efforts to partner with numerous autonomous vehicle companies like Lucid, Nuro, Waabi, and WeRide. Uber aims to become crucial to these partners by offering operational support, demand generation, rider experience, customer support, and fleet management, including reducing costs per mile and speeding up market entry. Uber plans to expand robotaxi deployments to over 15 cities by year-end.
Uber’s strategy involves managing infrastructure such as data training, mapping, and fleet financing. It uses specially equipped Lucid vehicles to collect data for partner AI systems. The new division will enhance user experiences, including customer support, and manage fleets, covering insurance and employee needs. This initiative follows Uber’s sale of its in-house AV unit, Uber ATG, in 2020. Uber’s partnerships include companies like Waymo, with whom they share robotaxi services, and multiple other firms across various domains. Through this division, Uber aims to protect its business from revenue loss as autonomous technologies evolve.