Uber Technologies Inc. Expands Autonomous Ride‑Sharing in Europe and the Middle East
Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) announced the launch of autonomous ride‑sharing services in two new markets on 20 August 2026. The company has entered a partnership with Chinese AI firm Baidu to deploy Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go vehicles in Dubai, and it has begun trials of robotaxis in Zagreb, Croatia, powered by Pony.ai and operated by Verne.
Dubai Deployment of Baidu’s Apollo Go
Baidu’s Apollo Go platform has been activated on the Uber app in Dubai, marking the first time the autonomous fleet will operate in a multi‑partner network worldwide. The initiative is described as a “new way for users to hail fully driverless rides,” with the vehicles available to riders via the Uber interface. This deployment follows a series of announcements from Uber and Baidu, indicating that the vehicles will serve the city’s growing demand for efficient, low‑cost mobility.
First Autonomous Trials in Europe
On the same day, Uber announced the launch of autonomous rides in Zagreb, Croatia, making the city the first European testbed for robotaxis. Riders in Zagreb can now book a fully driverless vehicle through the Uber app. The service is powered by Pony.ai and operated by Verne, a local mobility operator. Reuters confirmed the launch, noting that the initiative represents the company’s continued expansion of its global mobility portfolio.
Market Impact
Following the announcements, Uber’s shares increased by 4.53 % on 20 August 2026. Despite the positive price movement, an analysis on TipRanks highlighted that the robotaxi push has not yet translated into a significant shift in the company’s valuation. The article noted that the partnership with Baidu has not yet moved the stock substantially, suggesting that investors remain cautious about the commercial viability of autonomous fleets in the near term.
Broader Context
Uber’s autonomous ventures are part of a broader strategy to strengthen its mobility and delivery segments. In Q2 2026, the company outpaced competitor Lyft in earnings, driven by growth in both global mobility and delivery services, as reported by TalkMarkets. Uber also continues to invest in drone delivery, as evidenced by its partnership with Zipline announced on 18 August 2026, and it has recently divested a significant stake in Aurora Innovation, selling 72 million shares for approximately 477 million USD on 4 August 2026.
The company’s market capitalization remains at 152.5 billion USD, with a price‑to‑earnings ratio of 16.49. Uber’s stock closed at 78.04 USD on 18 August 2026, within a 52‑week range of 65.41 USD to 101.99 USD. The recent autonomous rollouts are positioned as key initiatives to drive future revenue growth and maintain Uber’s leadership in the evolving transportation technology landscape.
