(Credit: Uber)
Uber has launched its commercial robotaxi service in Dallas, Texas.
Starting today, whenever a customer books an UberX, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric ride, they may automatically get matched with an Avride autonomous vehicle (AV) at no additional cost. Riders can choose to accept it or request a non-AV car.
Once the AV arrives, tap the Unlock vehicle button in the app to step inside. After you're seated, tap Start ride to begin your trip.
At launch, the service is available in a geo-fenced, 9-square-mile area of the city. Those eager to try out the AVs can head to Settings > Autonomous Vehicles and turn on the Get more autonomous rides option.
In Dallas, Avride has a small fleet of Hyundai Ioniq 5 robotaxis equipped with 13 cameras, five LiDAR sensors, and four radars. Three passengers can fit in the back, and riders will get trunk access for luggage. If riders feel something is off, they can seek human help from within the app, Uber says.
For now, Avride will manage its own fleet. However, in the future, Uber will handle everything, including cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot management. Over the next few years, the Dallas fleet will expand to over 100 AVs, Uber added.
Waymo is also moving toward its Dallas launch, with its Avis-managed fleet set to arrive in 2026. While the Google-owned company has partnered with Uber in Atlanta and Austin, it will be accepting rides in Dallas through its own Waymo One app. Lyft also plans to roll out commercial AV rides in the city next year.
Uber's robotaxi service has now expanded to five cities: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, and Riyadh, and it plans to add five more by the end of 2026. By 2027, Uber's AVs are expected to reach Dubai, Los Angeles, Munich, and the San Francisco Bay Area, among other cities.