# Uber expands global autonomous vehicle partnerships > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-expansion-of-autonomous-ride-hailing-services > Updated: 2026-08-24T03:21:30.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 7. Uber is executing a major strategic shift toward autonomous transportation, planning to invest over $10 billion to deploy up to 120,000 robotaxis across at least 15 cities. Rather than developing proprietary hardware, Uber is positioning itself as a marketplace and dispatch network. Key partnerships include Zoox, which will offer robotaxis in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and a collaboration with Rivian to deploy up to 50,000 autonomous R2 vehicles by 2028. Additionally, a partnership with NVIDIA aims to bring Level 4 software-driven robotaxis to 28 cities globally starting in 2027. In Europe, Uber and Pony.ai plan to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis across five cities, building on the existing service in Zagreb, Croatia. Furthermore, Uber, WeRide, and Avomo intend to launch robotaxi services in Madrid before the end of 2026. In Japan, Uber is preparing a late-2026 pilot in Tokyo using Nissan Leaf vehicles equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver technology. Hinomaru Kotsu will serve as the licensed operator, providing safety drivers during the initial phase to navigate complex environments. Despite these expansions, Uber COO Andrew Macdonald noted that integration in emerging markets like Brazil and India may face decades of delay, as autonomous technology may not be cost-competitive with human drivers in regions with low average fares. Macdonald also clarified that the company’s focus remains on integrating third-party vehicles, such as those from Waymo and Tesla, into its platform. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Uber predicts decades-long delay for autonomous vehicles in Brazil and India Uber COO Andrew Macdonald says autonomous vehicle adoption in Brazil and India may take decades due to low average fares making the technology uncompetitive with human drivers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-predicts-decades-long-delay-for-autonomous-vehicles-in-brazil-and-india ### 2026-08-16: Uber partners with Hinomaru Kotsu for Tokyo robotaxi pilot Uber and Hinomaru Kotsu will partner to pilot robotaxi services in Tokyo starting in late 2026, using Nissan Leaf vehicles equipped with Wayve AI technology. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-partners-with-hinomaru-kotsu-for-tokyo-robotaxi-pilot ### 2026-08-16: Uber and Pony.ai to deploy 2,000 robotaxis in Europe Uber and Pony.ai plan to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities, expanding from an existing commercial service already operating in Zagreb, Croatia. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-and-ponyai-to-deploy-2000-robotaxis-in-europe ### 2026-08-15: Uber and partners to launch robotaxis in Madrid by 2026 Uber, WeRide, and Avomo plan to launch autonomous robotaxi services in Madrid by the end of 2026, aiming to navigate the city's complex urban traffic using AI and sensor technology. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-and-partners-to-launch-robotaxis-in-madrid-by-2026 ### 2026-08-15: Autonomous vehicle testing expands in Japan and the United States Autonomous vehicle initiatives are expanding, with Uber and Nissan planning robotaxi trials in Tokyo and Washington D.C. considering new legislation to regulate self-driving taxi commercialization. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/autonomous-vehicle-testing-expands-in-japan-and-the-united-states ### 2026-08-14: Uber Technologies expands autonomous vehicle strategy and partnerships Uber Technologies is expanding its autonomous vehicle footprint, targeting 15 cities by 2026 and launching a Tokyo pilot. Institutional investors continue to hold over 80% of the company's stock. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-technologies-expands-autonomous-vehicle-strategy-and-partnerships ### 2026-08-10: Uber plans $10 billion investment in robotaxi network Uber plans to invest $10 billion to deploy 120,000 robotaxis, partnering with companies like Zoox, Rivian, and Waymo to integrate autonomous vehicles into its ride-hailing platform. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uber-plans-10-billion-investment-in-robotaxi-network --- Cite as: Uber expands global autonomous vehicle partnerships. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-expansion-of-autonomous-ride-hailing-services