Uber and autonomous vehicle technology company Motional are partnering to make robotaxi rides bookable in Las Vegas.
Starting Friday, Uber users can be matched with a Motional’s electric IONIQ 5 robotaxis, from select locations around the resort corridor, the two companies announced.
“We’re excited to take the next step with Motional as we launch autonomous rides in Las Vegas,” Sarfraz Maredia, president of autonomous nobility and delivery for Uber, said in a statement. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to introduce autonomous vehicles in a way that prioritizes safety, increases reliability, and expands access to more ride options for our customers.”
The announcement noted that some of the participating locations include Resorts World, Westgate, Encore and Town Square. Additional locations will be added in the future. The Motional announcement is the second robotaxi partnership Uber has announced this week, after the ride-hailing giant announced a deal with Zoox for robotaxi rides starting this summer.
The Hyundai-owned Motional has been operating in Las Vegas since 2017, initially under Aptiv, testing and providing self-driving rides. Their Las Vegas headquarters is located south of Sunset Road, near Harry Reid International Airport.
A customer who requests a ride on UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric could be matched with a Motional vehicle at no added cost. Once matched, the rider will receive a notification announcing the AV ride, with each customer having the ability to change to a non-self-driving ride. Those who want to experience a robotaxi ride and increase the chances of being matched with one can opt in to self-driving trips in the ride preferences section in the settings of their Uber app.
As the service begins, a safety driver will be in place during autonomous rides, with hands hovering over the wheel, as the vehicle’s AV technology handles the ride.
If a rider accepts an autonomous ride, once the Motional robotaxi arrives, the vehicle can be unlocked via the Uber app on the customer’s phone. When inside, audio cues will welcome the rider, instructing them to close the door and to fasten their seat belt.
Motional robotaxi’s meet Uber’s autonomous safety guidelines, but if assistance is needed during a ride, human support is available via the Uber app.
Although the rides will kick off with a safety driver in place, plans call from removing safety drivers by the end of the year, according to the news release.
“Motional is ready to put our extensive ride hail experience to work with Uber again,” David Carroll, vice president of commercialization at Motional, said in a statement. “With our AI-first autonomous driving system, we’re able to seamlessly navigate hundreds of in-demand pick up and drop off locations where Uber riders want and expect to be able to go, whether that’s major hotel casinos on the Strip, shopping in Town Square or exploring downtown Las Vegas.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
