Cruise Partners with Uber to Launch Robotaxis on Ride-Hailing Platform in 2025

Cruise, the autonomous vehicle division of General Motors, has announced a multi-year partnership with Uber to introduce its robotaxis to Uber's ride-hailing platform in 2025.

Cruise Partners with Uber to Launch Robotaxis on Ride-Hailing Platform in 2025
Image credit: Image 

While Cruise did not specify the exact launch date for its robotaxis on Uber's platform, a spokesperson informed TechCrunch that this collaboration will follow the relaunch of Cruise's own driverless service. This partnership signals Cruise's intent to resume public operations after a notable incident last October, where a pedestrian was hit by a human-driven vehicle and subsequently struck by a Cruise robotaxi. 

Cruise's Recent Developments and Safety Measures

In the wake of this incident, which led to Cruise losing its autonomous operation permits in California and halting its U.S. fleet, the company has been working to reestablish its presence. Cruise began manual testing of its robotaxis in Phoenix in April 2024 and has since extended these tests to Dallas and Houston. Furthermore, Cruise recently recalled its fleet of 1,194 autonomous vehicles to address a federal safety probe related to unexpected braking issues. The company also settled a $112,500 fine with California regulators for communication lapses regarding the incident last fall, paving the way for a possible restart of operations in the state.

Uber’s Strategic Position and Partnership Benefits

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has emphasized the company's role as a crucial partner for autonomous vehicle companies aiming to scale their technology. In a statement during Uber’s second-quarter earnings call on August 6, Khosrowshahi highlighted Uber's ability to provide significant demand and operational efficiency for autonomous vehicles without requiring AV companies to invest heavily in customer acquisition and marketplace technology.

Existing Partnerships and Future Plans

Uber has previously partnered with Waymo, which has had vehicles available on the Uber app in Phoenix since October 2023. The company also collaborates with various autonomous vehicle startups for its food delivery and trucking arms, including Nuro, Serve Robotics, Cartken, Waabi, and Aurora Innovation. Although these partnerships do not yet feature fully autonomous operations, they represent significant steps towards integrating autonomous technology into Uber's services.

Upcoming Collaborations and Investments

Looking ahead, Uber is set to announce further deals, including a recent agreement with Chinese EV startup BYD to introduce 100,000 new EVs to Uber's platform outside the U.S. This partnership will also focus on developing "future BYD autonomous-capable vehicles." BYD has committed $14 billion to invest in autonomous vehicle technology, signaling continued growth and innovation in this sector.