Uber to Invest Up to $1.25bn in Rivian to Launch 10,000 Robotaxis
Uber has announced plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian as part of a major push into autonomous transportation.
The partnership will see the deployment of 10,000 fully self-driving SUVs on Uber’s platform starting in 2028, marking a significant step in the company’s long-term strategy to expand its robotaxi network.
Uber will begin with an initial investment of $300 million, with additional funding tied to Rivian achieving key milestones in its autonomous vehicle development through 2031.
For Uber, the deal provides access to a dedicated fleet of robotaxis, supporting its ambition to build a platform that integrates multiple self-driving partners. Rivian, on the other hand, gains a substantial financial boost and a guaranteed customer as it accelerates work on its autonomous technology.
Rivian is expected to base the robotaxi fleet on its upcoming R2 SUV model, which is designed to be more affordable than its current lineup, including the R1T pickup and R1S SUV. While the company has yet to launch a fully autonomous vehicle, it has made progress in that direction, including unveiling an in-house chip tailored for self-driving systems.
The rollout will begin in cities such as San Francisco and Miami, with plans to expand across up to 25 cities in North America and Europe by 2031. Uber also retains the option to purchase an additional 40,000 vehicles starting in 2030.
The investment comes as Rivian adjusts its financial outlook, citing increased research and development costs tied to its autonomous ambitions. However, analysts suggest the Uber partnership could help offset these expenses and support the company’s path to profitability in the coming years.
The move also strengthens Uber’s growing network of autonomous vehicle partnerships, which already includes collaborations with companies such as Waymo, Baidu and Lucid Motors. The company also leverages AI technologies from Nvidia to support development and scaling.
Ultimately, Uber aims to position itself as a central marketplace for autonomous mobility, connecting riders to a variety of robotaxi fleets regardless of manufacturer or underlying technology.
