Uber and Motional Launch Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas

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Key Terms

autonomous vehicle technical

A vehicle that can navigate and operate without a person actively controlling the steering, braking and acceleration, using onboard sensors, cameras, maps and software to make driving decisions much like a robot chauffeur. Investors watch autonomous vehicles because they can reshape transportation economics—lowering labor and operating costs for fleets, creating new service and data revenues, and introducing regulatory and liability risks that can rapidly change a company's value, similar to how smartphones transformed multiple industries.

robotaxi technical

A robotaxi is a self-driving vehicle designed to transport passengers without a human driver. It operates autonomously, using sensors and computers to navigate roads and pick up riders, similar to a taxi service but without a driver. For investors, robotaxis represent a potential shift in transportation, promising lower costs and new opportunities in mobility services.

sae level 4-capable technical

SAE Level 4-capable describes a vehicle or system that can perform all driving tasks and monitor the driving environment on its own within a specific, well-defined set of conditions (for example certain roads, speeds, or weather) without any human intervention. For investors, Level 4 capability signals advanced software and sensors that can enable new services, reduce operating costs and alter liability and regulatory exposure, but its commercial value depends on how large and practical the allowed operating area is and how quickly it can be deployed.

federal motor vehicle safety standards regulatory

Federal motor vehicle safety standards are the set of rules issued by the U.S. government that require vehicles and equipment to meet specific safety performance and design criteria before they can be sold. Think of them as building codes for cars and trucks: meeting these standards affects a manufacturer’s ability to sell products, the costs of design and testing, and the risk of recalls or fines, so they directly influence a vehicle maker’s regulatory risk, expenses, and market access — all material to investors.

fmvss regulatory

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are U.S. government rules that set minimum safety requirements for the design, construction and performance of cars, trucks and vehicle parts. Think of them like building codes for vehicles: meeting them is required to sell on the U.S. market, and failing to comply can lead to recalls, extra costs, delays or legal exposure—factors that can affect a company’s sales, margins and investor risk.

ride hail technical

Ride hail is an on-demand transportation service where passengers request a private car through a smartphone app or dispatch system and a nearby driver accepts the trip, like ordering a taxi with a tap. Investors care because ride-hail platforms generate revenue from trip volume, pricing and driver supply, and are sensitive to changes in consumer demand, fuel and labor costs, and local regulations—factors that affect profitability and growth.

autonomous vehicles technical

Vehicles that use on-board sensors, cameras and software to navigate and drive without a human actively controlling them; think of them as robotic chauffeurs that can perceive roads, make decisions and follow traffic rules. For investors, they matter because they can reshape transportation costs, create new revenue streams (rides, logistics, software) and change regulatory and liability risks, so their adoption affects manufacturers, tech suppliers, insurers and transportation demand.

03/13/2026 - 08:00 AM

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starting today, Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Motional, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology that is majority owned by Hyundai Motor Group, announced that Uber riders in Las Vegas can now be matched with an all-electric Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi — unlocking an exciting new way to hit the jackpot on the Strip.

Uber riders in Las Vegas can now be matched with an all-electric Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi

At launch, the service will be available at designated locations along Las Vegas Boulevard, including rideshare zones at the Resorts World Las Vegas and Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas — plus Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and curbside in Downtown Las Vegas and throughout the Town Square shopping district near the airport — with plans to expand the operating area in the future.

Here’s what riders can expect when matched with a Motional robotaxi on Uber:

Request a ride: Riders who request an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional robotaxi — at no additional cost. If matched, riders will receive a notification each time and will always have the option to accept or switch to a non-AV ride.
Start the ride: Once the Motional robotaxi arrives, riders can unlock the vehicle and start the trip — all from the familiar Uber app. And, once inside the vehicle, they’ll be welcomed by audio cues reminding them to close the doors and fasten their seat belts.
Ride preferences: Uber customers in Las Vegas — residents and visitors alike — who are excited about riding in a robotaxi can boost their chances of getting matched by opting in to the Ride Preferences section of their Uber app under Settings.
Ride support: Uber and Motional both put safety at the center of operations, and Motional’s robotaxis meet all of Uber’s Autonomous Safety Guidelines. If assistance is needed at any time during a trip, riders will have access to human support — available in the Uber app.

“We’re excited to take the next step with Motional as we launch autonomous rides in Las Vegas,” said Sarfraz Maredia, President of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to introduce autonomous vehicles in a way that prioritizes safety, increases reliability, and expands access to more ride options for our customers.”

Custom-designed for ride hail, and engineered for reliable and durable driverless operations, the IONIQ 5 robotaxi was created through the partnership between Motional and Hyundai Motor Group. It is one of the first SAE Level 4-capable AVs to be certified under the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

Initially, Motional robotaxis will feature a vehicle operator monitoring the road ahead from behind the steering wheel. A fully driverless service — with no human operator in the vehicle — is expected to begin by the end of this year.

“Motional is ready to put our extensive ride hail experience to work with Uber again,” said David Carroll, vice president of commercialization at Motional. “With our AI-first autonomous driving system, we’re able to seamlessly navigate hundreds of in-demand pick up and drop off locations where Uber riders want and expect to be able to go, whether that’s major hotel casinos on the Strip, shopping in Town Square or exploring downtown Las Vegas.”

Motional and Uber established a 10-year framework agreement in 2022 that set a partnership in motion for effective scaling and broad adoption of AVs by pairing Motional’s advanced driverless technology with Uber’s network of millions of customers. This agreement followed a successful pilot program with Uber Eats for delivery service in Los Angeles in early 2022, and then led to a ride hailing pilot in Las Vegas in late 2022.

About Uber:

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 72 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

About Motional:

Motional is an autonomous vehicle technology company on a mission to make autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. The company formed in 2020 as is majority-owned by Hyundai Motor Group, one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers. The company has extensive experience in commercial robotaxi operations, having conducted over 130,000 autonomous rides through its early commercial pilot programs. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit www.motional.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.