Uber Stock Rises as Robotaxi Service Launches in Dallas with Avride Partnership

Uber has officially rolled out a robotaxi service in Dallas in partnership with the autonomous-driving startup Avride. The new service is now available to some riders in a nine-square-mile zone of downtown Dallas and nearby neighborhoods.

What is launching in Dallas

Beginning December 3, 2025, Uber riders in parts of Dallas, including downtown, Uptown, Deep Ellum, and Oak Lawn, may receive a ride in an autonomous electric vehicle operated by Avride when booking through the Uber app.

Riders will be notified if their ride is with a robotaxi and will have the option to opt for a human-driven vehicle instead. The vehicles used in this rollout are Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric cars, fitted with Avride’s self-driving system.

At launch, each vehicle includes a human safety specialist in the driver’s seat to monitor the ride. Uber and Avride plan to transition to fully driverless operations as technology, regulations, and safety data permit.

Investor reaction and stock movement

The launch triggered a positive response from investors. Shares of Uber rose as the robotaxi debut added to investor confidence in the company’s autonomous mobility push.

This move comes after a substantial financial commitment behind the scenes. Earlier in 2025, Uber and the Nebius Group jointly invested about $375 million into Avride to support development of its autonomous-vehicle technology and to prepare for robotaxi deployment.

How did Uber and Avride get here

The collaboration between Uber and Avride dates back to 2024, when the two companies signed a multi-year strategic agreement. Initially, the partnership focused on autonomous delivery robots for Uber Eats. 

In March 2025, Avride announced a broader partnership with automaker Hyundai to build robotaxi-capable versions of the IONIQ 5 electric vehicle. This laid the groundwork for the Dallas deployment.

Over the months leading up to the December launch, Avride expanded its testing of the robotaxi fleet on Dallas streets. By late 2025, the company concluded that conditions were appropriate for a public offering of rides.

Industry context and competitive landscape

The Dallas launch positions Uber and Avride among a small but growing number of companies offering robotaxi services in U.S. cities. Others, including Waymo, are also expanding their driverless ride-hailing networks.

By shifting from its earlier approach, which included owning in-house autonomous-vehicle research, Uber now favors partnerships with companies like Avride to deploy self-driving vehicles. This model supports quicker scaling while limiting in-house development costs.

For Avride, the Dallas launch marks the company’s most ambitious passenger-service rollout to date. Previously, its autonomous systems had mainly been used in delivery robots for Uber Eats.

What to watch next

Uber and Avride plan to gradually expand the robotaxi fleet in Dallas, eventually rolling out hundreds of self-driving vehicles over the next few years. 

While the current model retains a human monitor for safety, the long-term goal is fully driverless rides once regulations and safety validation allow. Continued public acceptance, regulatory approvals, and performance data will shape the pace of that transition.

The success of this rollout could influence similar deployments in other cities. For now, Dallas is the first major live test of the scaled robotaxi model under the Uber-Avride partnership.

Conclusion

The launch of Uber’s robotaxi service in Dallas marks a new phase in urban mobility. By partnering with Avride and deploying Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric robotaxis, Uber is betting on autonomous rides as a strategic growth area. The positive market reaction suggests investor optimism. The coming months and years will show whether this emerging mode of transportation can live up to its promise.