Uber and Avride have begun operating a commercial robotaxi service in Dallas, marking a significant step in the expansion of autonomous ride-hailing. The initial rollout involves a limited fleet of all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles equipped with Avride’s self-driving system, operating within a 9-square-mile area of downtown Dallas.
Partnership Expansion and Future Plans
This launch follows a year of aggressive deal-making by Uber, which now boasts partnerships with over 20 autonomous vehicle (AV) companies including Waymo, WeRide, and Nuro. Uber aims to integrate AVs into its network in at least 10 cities by the end of 2026, with plans for expansion into Arlington, Texas; Dubai; London; Los Angeles; Munich, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Operational Details and Phased Approach
Currently, the robotaxis include a human safety operator. However, Uber intends to move towards fully driverless operations and expand the service area in the coming months. Initially, Avride will manage the fleet before handing over day-to-day operations — including maintenance, charging, and inspections — to Uber. Uber will handle all customer support, while Avride focuses on vehicle testing.
Rider Experience and Availability
Uber riders who select UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with an Avride robotaxi. Riders can adjust their app settings to increase the likelihood of being assigned a self-driving vehicle. Importantly, robotaxi rides will be priced the same as traditional rides. Passengers can choose to accept the robotaxi or switch to a human-driven vehicle if preferred.
Investment and Context
Avride, an Austin-based startup under Nebius Group (formerly Yandex NV), secured $375 million in strategic investments and commercial commitments from Uber and Nebius in late 2024. This investment underscores Uber’s commitment to autonomous technology. Uber’s earlier integration of Avride’s sidewalk robots for Uber Eats deliveries in Austin, Dallas, and Jersey City paved the way for this broader partnership.
The robotaxi service in Dallas represents a major milestone in Uber’s broader strategy to deploy autonomous vehicles at scale. The company sees this as a natural progression, having already established AV operations in cities like Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Atlanta, Austin, and Phoenix through partnerships with Waymo and WeRide.
This deployment of robotaxis is not just about technology but also about market positioning. Uber is clearly making a play to dominate the future of ride-hailing, and Dallas is the latest battleground in this rapidly evolving landscape.
