Ride into the Future: Uber Introduces Self-Driving Cars in Dallas with Avride Partnership
Uber is introducing a new option for customers in Dallas to ride in self-driving cars through a partnership with robotaxi company Avride. Riders can request an UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride and may be paired with an autonomous vehicle. The cost for riding in a self-driving car will be the same as a regular ride, and customers can choose to accept or decline the autonomous ride. The service will initially cover 9 square miles in Dallas, with plans to expand the service area in the future.
To increase the chances of being matched with an autonomous vehicle, customers can adjust their ride preferences in the Uber app. When the robotaxi arrives, customers can unlock it and start the trip through the app. Human support is also available through the app if needed. Avride's vehicles are equipped with autonomous driving technology, including cameras, lidars, and radars. While a specialist will initially monitor operations, the goal is to eventually offer fully driverless rides.
Uber and Avride's partnership extends beyond robotaxis to include delivery robots for Uber Eats. Avride will manage its fleet initially, with Uber taking over day-to-day operations later on. The companies plan to expand to more cities in the future. Uber has multiple autonomous vehicle partnerships, including Waymo and WeRide, and plans to deploy autonomous vehicles in at least 10 cities by the end of 2026.