Uber's Big Bet: $10 Billion to Build Its Own Self-Driving Cars

Uber Technologies is committing $10 billion over the next five years to build and operate its own fleet of self-driving cars, marking a fundamental change in how the company works. Until now, Uber has been a middleman—connecting drivers and passengers through an app. Now, it's becoming a car owner and technology developer in its own right. The company plans to start testing self-driving taxis in select U.S. cities by late 2026, then expand nationwide through 2030. The money will pay for vehicles, sensors that help cars "see" the road, deals with manufacturers, and legal costs as Uber works with regulators. During the transition, human drivers will still operate Uber cars alongside the autonomous ones. This is Uber's biggest strategic shift since it went public in 2019, reflecting the company's belief that self-driving taxis can become a reliable, money-making business within the next five years.