UBER LAUNCHES ROBOTAXIS IN DALLAS THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH AVRIDE

Uber has begun offering robotaxi rides in Dallas, introducing autonomous vehicles into its core ride-hailing service for the first time in the city.

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The launch integrates self-driving Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles from Avride into Uber's main app and places the company at another stage of its long-term move toward a hybrid network of human drivers and autonomous fleets.

The rollout began this week across a nine-square-mile service area covering Downtown, Uptown, Turtle Creek and Deep Ellum. Riders requesting an UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric trip in this region may be matched with one of the new robotaxis. When that happens, the app alerts the passenger and allows them to switch to a traditional driver if they prefer. Uber is not charging extra for the autonomous option.

Avride's vehicles are equipped with a full sensor suite and onboard autonomy systems designed to manage urban traffic, and each car currently operates with a safety specialist in the driver's seat. Uber and Avride have indicated that fully driverless service is part of their long-term goal, though no timeline has been announced.

HOW THE SERVICE WORKS INSIDE UBER’S EXISTING ECOSYSTEM