Uber is investing over $10 billion in robotaxis and shifting its growth strategy

Uber has announced a massive investment of over $10 billion in the autonomous transportation sector, marking a shift away from its traditional model of minimizing its own assets. The strategic plan calls for the purchase of thousands of self-driving vehicles and direct funding for developers of related technologies. 

This was reported by the Financial Times. According to analysts’ estimates, approximately $7.5 billion will be allocated to building fleets of robotaxis, and another $2.5 billion will go toward the capital of partner companies, including the American firm Rivian and the Chinese company Baidu.

Over the past year, the service has significantly expanded its network of partnerships, signing agreements with more than ten technology providers. Uber plans to launch robotaxi services in at least 15 cities by 2026, though the implementation of these plans will depend on the partners’ success in passing certain testing phases. This move marks a fundamental shift for the gig economy, of which Uber has been a symbol for over a decade, as the company transitions from relying on private drivers’ cars to owning its own high-tech fleet.

Uber’s investment activity is unfolding against the backdrop of global economic transformations and the Russian economy’s official entry into a systemic recession in April 2026. While the aggressor is losing access to cutting-edge developments due to sanctions, global tech giants are accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into transportation infrastructure. At the same time, the situation in Ukraine remains tense due to the threat of nighttime UAV attacks, as warned by President Zelenskyy, forcing the business sector to adapt to new security challenges. Currently, Uber is focused on integrating autonomous solutions into its platform to maintain its leadership in the transportation market.