Uber Brings Motional Robotaxis Back to Las Vegas Strip

Key Details Uber and Hyundai-backed Motional have relaunched their autonomous vehicle partnership in Las Vegas. Starting immediately, UberX, Uber Electric, and Uber Comfort riders may be matched with a driverless Ioniq 5 at no extra cost. Safety drivers will monitor vehicles initially, with plans to remove them by year's end. Where You'll Find Them Robotaxi pickups and drop-offs are currently limited to major Strip casinos like Resorts World Las Vegas and Wynn Encore, plus Westgate Resort, Town Square shopping district, and downtown Las Vegas. Expansion is planned for the future. Why It Matters This marks Uber's push to become a robotaxi aggregator rather than just a rideshare platform. The company now partners with 20+ autonomous vehicle developers globally and plans driverless service in 10+ cities this year. Uber also recently announced a separate deal with Amazon's Zoox for steering-wheel-free robotaxis in Vegas and Los Angeles. What Drivers Should Know Unlike Austin and Atlanta, Vegas riders cannot specifically request a robotaxi. However, you can increase match chances through app settings. You always have the option to accept or decline a driverless vehicle and request a human driver instead. The Motional partnership survived a 2024 pause to return stronger than before.