Uber's Driverless Car Program: Current Status and What It Means for Riders

Uber does not currently operate a fleet of driverless cars for passenger rides. The company shut down its self-driving vehicle division, Uber ATG (Advanced Technologies Group), in 2020 and sold the unit to Aurora Innovation. Uber continues to use human drivers for UberX, UberXL, Uber Eats, and all other services in the United States and internationally.

Uber has stated interest in autonomous vehicles as a long-term technology, but there is no timeline for when or whether driverless Uber rides will become available to the public. If you are looking to book a ride today, you will be matched with a human driver through the standard Uber app.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber sold its self-driving car division to Aurora Innovation in 2020 and no longer operates its own autonomous vehicle program.
  • All Uber rides currently available to passengers are driven by human drivers hired through the platform.
  • Uber has not announced a date or plan to launch driverless passenger rides to the general public.
  • Autonomous vehicle technology is still being tested by other companies, but regulatory approval and safety standards remain incomplete in most places.

What Happened to Uber's Self-Driving Program

Uber ATG was the company's autonomous vehicle research and development unit. It operated test vehicles in cities including Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Phoenix, where engineers tested self-driving technology on public roads with safety drivers behind the wheel.

In December 2020, Uber sold ATG to Aurora Innovation, a separate autonomous vehicle company. Aurora continues to develop self-driving technology but does not operate a ride-hailing service. Uber remains a financial investor in Aurora but does not run driverless cars under its own brand.

How Uber Rides Work Today

When you open the Uber app and request a ride, the system matches you with a nearby driver who owns or leases their own vehicle. The driver accepts the trip, picks you up, and takes you to your destination. You pay through the app, and Uber takes a percentage of the fare.

Drivers are independent contractors, not Uber employees. They set their own schedules and use their personal vehicles. This model has remained unchanged since Uber's founding and continues to be how all Uber rides operate.

Other Companies Testing Driverless Technology

Several companies are testing autonomous vehicles in limited areas. Waymo (owned by Google's parent company Alphabet) operates a driverless taxi service called Waymo One in Phoenix, Arizona, where riders can book fully autonomous trips through an app. Cruise (owned by General Motors) has tested driverless vehicles in San Francisco. Tesla offers driver-assistance features but does not operate a driverless taxi service.

These programs are small-scale, limited to specific cities, and require regulatory approval from state and local authorities. None of these services are available nationwide, and all remain in testing or early commercial phases.

Regulatory and Safety Challenges for Driverless Vehicles

Self-driving cars must meet safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and comply with state and local regulations. Different states have different rules about where and how autonomous vehicles can operate. Some states require a human safety driver in the vehicle; others do not.

Insurance, liability, and accident responsibility remain unsettled legal questions. If a driverless car causes an accident, it is unclear whether the manufacturer, the company operating the vehicle, or the passenger is liable. These questions must be resolved before driverless services can scale widely.

What This Means for Uber Riders

If you use Uber today, your rides will continue to be driven by human drivers. There is no change to how you book, pay for, or experience an Uber trip. The company's focus remains on its current driver-based model.

If autonomous vehicles become widely available in the future, Uber may partner with or invest in companies that operate them, but this is speculative. For now, Uber's business depends on human drivers, and that is how the service functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a driverless Uber right now?

No. Uber does not operate driverless cars. All Uber rides are driven by human drivers. If you book an Uber trip, you will be matched with a driver who will pick you up and drive you to your destination.

Will Uber ever have driverless cars?

Uber has not announced plans to launch a driverless service. The company sold its autonomous vehicle division in 2020. While Uber may invest in autonomous technology in the future, there is no confirmed timeline or commitment to offer driverless rides.

Where can I actually ride in a driverless car today?

Waymo One operates driverless taxis in Phoenix, Arizona. Cruise has tested driverless vehicles in San Francisco, though availability changes. These services are limited to specific cities and operate separately from Uber. You would need to use their own apps to book rides.

Why did Uber stop building self-driving cars?

Uber decided that developing autonomous vehicle technology was not central to its business. The company determined that selling the division to Aurora Innovation, a company focused specifically on self-driving research, was a better use of resources. Uber remains an investor in Aurora but no longer runs its own program.

Are human Uber drivers going to be replaced by robots?

Not in the near term. Autonomous vehicle technology is still being tested and refined. Regulatory approval, safety standards, and legal liability questions remain unresolved. Uber's current model depends on human drivers, and that is how the service operates today.