Uber and Motional have launched autonomous robotaxi rides in Las Vegas, allowing riders to be matched with an all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 through the Uber app.
The service is initially available at select locations along Las Vegas Boulevard, including rideshare zones at Resorts World Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The service will also operate curbside in downtown Las Vegas and throughout the Town Square Las Vegas shopping district near the airport. Uber and Motional said the operating area is expected to expand in the future.
Riders requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional robotaxi at no extra cost. Users will receive a notification and can choose to accept the autonomous ride or switch to a regular ride.
Trips are started through the Uber app, which unlocks the vehicle when it arrives. Audio prompts inside the car remind passengers to close doors and fasten seat belts.
Both companies said safety remains a top priority. Motional’s robotaxis comply with Uber’s Autonomous Safety Guidelines, and riders can contact human support through the Uber app at any time during the trip.
The autonomous vehicle was developed through a partnership between Motional and Hyundai Motor Group. Designed specifically for ride-hailing, the robotaxi is one of the first vehicles capable of SAE Level 4 autonomous driving to be certified under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
At launch, a trained vehicle operator will sit behind the steering wheel to monitor the road. A fully driverless service with no human operator is expected by the end of the year.
“We’re excited to take the next step with Motional as we launch autonomous rides in Las Vegas,” said Sarfraz Maredia, President of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber. “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.”
David Carroll, Vice President of Commercialization at Motional, said that its AI-based autonomous driving system can navigate hundreds of pickup and drop-off points across Las Vegas, including major hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, the Town Square Las Vegas shopping district, and downtown areas.
Uber and Motional signed a 10-year agreement in 2022 to expand autonomous ride services, following earlier pilot programs including an Uber Eats delivery test in Los Angeles and a ride-hailing pilot in Las Vegas later that year.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/03/17/118081-uber-and-motional-launch-robotaxi-service-in-las-vegas
