Trending Now - Uber Partners With Rivian for $1.25B Robotaxi Initiative
WHO:
Uber, Rivian Automotive, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
WHAT:
Uber and Rivian will deploy up to 50,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis.
Rivian's R2 is set to launch in 2026.
Rivian plans to add lidar sensors to its R2 vehicles later in 2026.
Rivian reported having about $6 billion in cash as of the beginning of 2026, including around $1 billion from its partnership with Volkswagen.
Rivian expects to spend upwards of $2.5 billion in 2026 alone to ramp up R2 production.
Uber will invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian Automotive.
Uber and its fleet partners are expected to buy 10,000 fully autonomous Rivian R2 robotaxis, with an option to purchase up to 40,000 more by 2030.
Initial deployments of the vehicles are expected to begin in 2028.
The partnership will expand to 25 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by 2031.
An initial investment of $300 million has been committed following the deal's signing.
WHERE:
Initial deployments will take place in San Francisco and Miami.
The expansion will cover 25 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Rivian is based in Irvine, California.
WHEN:
The initial investment of $300 million is subject to regulatory approval.
Initial deployments are expected to begin in 2028.
The expansion to 25 cities is projected to be completed by 2031.
Rivian will begin making the smaller R2 in 2026.
Rivian started work on a $5 billion facility in Georgia in 2025.
WHY:
The investment from Uber comes at a crucial moment for Rivian as it enters the initial production phase for the R2.
Uber believes in Rivian’s approach of designing the vehicle, compute platform, and software stack together while maintaining end-to-end control of scaled manufacturing and supply in the U.S.
HOW:
The companies will have the option to negotiate the purchase of up to 40,000 more autonomous vehicles beginning in 2030, making a total of 50,000.
Uber's investment will be spread out up to 2031 and is subject to hitting certain autonomous milestones by specific dates.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 17:22 UTC)
Uber and Rivian have announced a partnership to deploy up to 50,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis, with Rivian's R2 set to launch later this year. Rivian, which reported about $6 billion in cash at the start of 2026, plans to invest over $2.5 billion this year to ramp up production of these vehicles, including the addition of lidar sensors later in 2026. Additionally, the companies have the option to negotiate the purchase of up to 40,000 more autonomous vehicles starting in 2030, potentially bringing the total to 50,000.
--
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 15:16 UTC)
Uber has announced it will invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian Automotive, with an initial commitment of $300 million pending regulatory approval. The partnership aims for Uber and its fleet partners to purchase 10,000 fully autonomous Rivian R2 robotaxis, with the option to buy up to 40,000 more by 2030, starting deployments in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 and expanding to 25 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe by 2031. Rivian, based in Irvine, California, is set to begin production of the R2 model this year, as the company continues to develop its $5 billion facility in Georgia.