Uber has struck a deal to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian, making it the latest major platform to secure a dedicated robotaxi supply chain as autonomous ride-hailing competition intensifies.
The partnership centres on Rivian's R2 SUV, with up to 50,000 vehicles earmarked for autonomous deployment. Uber's commitment opens with an initial $300 million investment, with the remainder conditional on the rollout's progress through 2031.
The two companies said the fleet will launch in San Francisco and Miami before expanding across 25 US cities, with additional coverage planned in Canada and Europe.
Rivian shares jumped 8% following the announcement. The Irvine-based EV maker has faced persistent pressure over its cash burn and path to profitability; the Uber investment provides both capital and a committed commercial customer at scale.
For Uber, the deal extends a strategy of partnering with vehicle manufacturers rather than developing autonomous technology in-house. The company has existing robotaxi arrangements with Waymo, BYD and Volkswagen's autonomous unit, positioning its platform as the distribution layer across competing AV hardware suppliers.
