Uber and Motional Launch Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas
Uber and Motional, a Hyundai-backed autonomous driving company, have launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas, making all-electric Motional IONIQ 5 vehicles available to riders as of March 13, 2026. This marks a significant milestone for Motional, which underwent a major restructuring two years prior.
Motional’s Road to Recovery
The relaunch follows a turbulent period for Motional. Founded in 2020 as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, the company accumulated over 130,000 autonomous rides through pilot programs in Las Vegas (with Uber and Lyft) and deliveries in Los Angeles (with Uber Eats), all with human safety operators.
In early 2024, Aptiv announced it would cease funding the venture due to the high costs of commercializing robotaxi technology and an uncertain path to profitability. Hyundai responded with a near-$1 billion investment – $475 million directly into Motional and $448 million to buy out Aptiv’s equity – gaining approximately 85% ownership, while Aptiv retained 15%.
This funding came with restructuring, including halting commercial rides and deliveries, pausing the second-generation driverless service, and reducing the workforce by approximately 40% (around 550 employees). Motional then focused on improving its autonomous technology, shifting towards a neural network-based approach.
In August 2025, Motional secured a $550 million Series B funding round led by Aptiv, with participation from Hyundai and Nuance Investments, increasing its valuation to $6.5 billion.
How the Service Works
Uber riders in Las Vegas may be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi when requesting an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride, at no extra cost. Riders will receive a notification in the app, allowing them to accept the autonomous vehicle or switch to a conventional ride. Users can increase their chances of being matched with a robotaxi by enabling the autonomous vehicle pickup option in their Uber app settings.
Currently, the service operates in designated rideshare zones along Las Vegas Boulevard at Resorts World Las Vegas and Encore at the Wynn, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, curbside locations in Downtown Las Vegas, and the Town Square shopping district. Both companies plan to expand the operating area in the future.
Initially, the IONIQ 5 robotaxis will have a human safety operator present. Motional anticipates removing the safety operator and operating a fully driverless service by the end of 2026.
The Vehicle: IONIQ 5 and SAE Level 4 Autonomy
The IONIQ 5 robotaxi, co-developed by Motional and Hyundai Motor Group, is designed specifically for ride-hailing. It is one of the first SAE Level 4-capable autonomous vehicles certified under US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
SAE Level 4 signifies the vehicle can handle all driving functions within a defined operational domain without human intervention, though it doesn’t guarantee operation in all conditions everywhere.
Uber’s Expanding Autonomous Vehicle Network
The Las Vegas launch is part of a broader push by Uber into autonomous vehicles. Uber similarly recently announced a deal with Amazon’s Zoox to deploy its robotaxis in Las Vegas (starting summer 2026) and Los Angeles (mid-2027). A collaboration with Wayve and Nissan is planned for a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo in late 2026.
Uber currently collaborates with over 25 autonomous vehicle partners across its Mobility, Delivery, and Freight divisions and plans to invest over $100 million in charging infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.