Uber is significantly expanding its footprint in the autonomous vehicle sector, committing more than $10 billion toward investments and acquisitions in the space, according to recent financial analyses. The move underscores a renewed strategic shift as the company deepens its involvement in next-generation transportation technologies.

Roughly $2.5 billion of the total investment has been allocated to direct stakes in autonomous vehicle companies, while the remaining $7.5 billion is expected to fund the acquisition of robotaxis in the coming years. Uber has already backed several major players across the ecosystem, including firms focused on robotics, electric vehicles, and AI-driven mobility solutions.

This development marks a notable evolution from Uber’s earlier business model, which initially emphasized an asset-light approach. Between 2015 and 2018, the company pursued aggressive in-house innovation, launching projects such as autonomous driving units and aerial mobility initiatives before scaling back those efforts in 2020 through divestments.

Now, Uber appears to be re-entering an asset-intensive phase, but with a different strategy prioritizing ownership or leasing of vehicle fleets rather than building the underlying technology. Analysts suggest this approach could reshape the company’s financial structure while positioning it competitively in the rapidly evolving autonomous transport market.

Source: TechCrunch