Ride-hailing giant Uber announced plans to deploy at least 20,000 robotaxis over the next six years, underscoring its ambition to dominate the autonomous ride-hailing sector.
The upcoming fleet will consist of electric SUVs manufactured by U.S. EV maker Lucid and will be powered by self-driving technology developed by Silicon Valley startup Nuro.
The move marks a major expansion of Uber’s autonomous vehicle roadmap, combining electric mobility with cutting-edge AI.
Read: Dubai RTA, Pony.ai kick off autonomous vehicle trials, eyeing 2026 driverless launch
Autonomous transport
Uber’s latest announcement builds on a series of high-profile partnerships that cement its role as a central platform for autonomous transport. The company has already teamed up with Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving subsidiary, and German automaker Volkswagen.
Waymo vehicles are currently operating in select U.S. cities via the Uber app, and Volkswagen’s robotaxis are expected to be added soon.
Earlier this week, Uber also revealed a new partnership with Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta. The collaboration aims to bring robotaxi services to markets beyond the U.S. and China, further accelerating Uber’s global expansion in autonomous mobility.
Autonomous mobility momentum in the Middle East
The surge in global interest in autonomous transportation is mirrored in the Middle East, where several major initiatives are already underway.
In April, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Baidu’s Apollo Go, a leader in self-driving technology, to roll out autonomous taxis across the emirate.
The agreement includes plans for an initial pilot of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, with full public deployment expected by 2026.
Complementing this, dnata — one of the world’s largest air and travel service providers — has launched a fleet of autonomous electric vehicles at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
The move is part of dnata’s broader strategy to automate ramp operations and improve ground handling efficiency using next-generation technologies.
Meanwhile in Qatar, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), in partnership with MATAR and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), initiated trials of autonomous vehicles at Hamad International Airport (DOH).
The project, which includes testing an autonomous staff bus and baggage tractor, aims to revolutionize airside operations. Equipped with advanced GPS, AI systems, and intelligent sensors, these vehicles are designed for round-the-clock operation in all weather conditions.
A Global shift toward autonomous mobility
With Uber’s aggressive expansion and regional players like Dubai and Doha embracing smart transport solutions, the global mobility landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation.
As electric and autonomous technologies mature, cities around the world are gearing up for a future where self-driving vehicles play a central role in public and private transportation.
Uber’s planned robotaxi deployment represents one of the largest in the world and signals a broader industry trend—where human drivers may soon share the road with fleets of intelligent, self-navigating vehicles.
