Uber Returns to Self-Driving Operations—as a Data Provider

Uber has launched AV Labs, deploying autonomous vehicles on public roads to collect training data for external autonomous vehicle partners. The move marks Uber's return to self-driving operations after exiting the space by selling its Advanced Technologies Group to Aurora in 2020. Rather than competing in vehicle development, Uber is monetizing trip data from its ride-hailing platform, positioning itself as critical infrastructure within the broader autonomous vehicle ecosystem.