Uber Riders in Vegas Can Now Be Picked Up by Robotaxi

The next time you order an Uber in Las Vegas, you may just be picked up by a robotaxi. Uber linked up with Motional, a Hyundai-owned, autonomous vehicle technology brand, to place robotaxis along Las Vegas Boulevard, including at popular rideshare zones, with plans to increase coverage in the future.

When you order your Uber, you won’t have the explicit option to request a robotaxi. Instead, if you request an UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric vehicle, you may find you’re randomly matched with one. However, if you’re not on the autonomous vehicle train just yet, you do have the option to opt out, and get a ride with a human behind the wheel.

On the flip side, though, if you’re eager to try this new offering, just go into your Uber app and, under settings, manually opt in to autonomous vehicle rides in your rider preferences. While that doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a robotaxi during your next trip, it does increase your chances.

“We’re excited to take the next step with Motional as we launch autonomous rides in Las Vegas,” said Sarfraz Maredia, president of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery, Uber. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to introduce autonomous vehicles in a way that prioritizes safety, increases reliability, and expands access to more ride options for our customers.”