Uber launches driverless rides with AV company Motional

Uber is getting back into driverless rides, this time with some outsourced help. On Wednesday, Uber announced that riders now have the option of choosing a self-driving car thanks to its partnership with autonomous vehicle company Motional.

The service has launched in Las Vegas and will soon expand to Los Angeles and other major cities later on. On the Uber app, users can select UberX or Uber Comfort Electric to potentially match with one of Motional’s all-electric IONIQ 5 robotaxis. Users will be prompted to opt-in before confirming the trip…

Initially, vehicle operators will be in the car with passengers. But Uber’s goal is to make the service completely driverless in 2023. Notably, this is exactly what Lyft has planned. Uber’s rival is also partnered with Motional and launched driverless rides in Las Vegas at CES in 2018. They also plan to become fully driverless in 2023.