Uber and Motional Launch Commercial Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas

March 13, 2026 – Uber and Motional, a Hyundai Motor-backed autonomous vehicle firm, have launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas, marking the latest step in the ride-hailing platform’s expansion of self-driving taxi options. Motional and Uber announced the launch on Friday, adding to a growing list of partnerships as Uber invests in driverless mobility.

Expanding Autonomous Vehicle Network

Uber has been actively partnering with companies developing self-driving technology, including Baidu, Amazon’s Zoox, Nissan, and Wayve. The company plans to invest over $100 million in developing autonomous vehicle charging hubs as the industry races to commercialize driverless mobility .

Las Vegas Robotaxi Service Details

The partnership with Motional allows Uber users in Las Vegas to hail a driverless electric vehicle – the Motional IONIQ 5 – through the Uber app at no extra cost. The service initially covers pick-up zones along Las Vegas Boulevard, including Resorts World, Encore at the Wynn, Westgate Resort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas, and Town Square near the airport.

Users requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi, with the option to switch to a conventional ride.

Safety and Future Plans

The Motional IONIQ 5 is among the first SAE Level 4-capable autonomous vehicles certified under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Initially, the vehicles will operate with a human safety operator behind the wheel. Uber and Motional expect to launch a fully driverless service by late 2026.

Recent Uber Partnerships

Earlier this week, Uber announced a multi-year deal to deploy Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis on its platform, with limited services already live in Las Vegas and a pilot program underway in San Francisco. Uber, Nissan, and Wayve as well agreed to collaborate on a pilot robotaxi launch in Tokyo by late 2026, marking Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan.

Motional’s Reboot

The launch in Las Vegas is a significant milestone for Motional, which underwent a major restructuring in 2024, including job cuts, after a period where commercial deployments were de-prioritized. Hyundai invested an additional $1 billion into Motional and the company shifted its focus to an AI-based approach for its autonomous vehicle technology.