Uber has abandoned its earlier strategy of developing proprietary self-driving technology, instead pivoting to become a neutral commercial platform where riders access transportation services from multiple providers—some human-operated, some autonomous. The company has forged partnerships with over 25 robotaxi developers and made their services available through the Uber app in various cities globally, representing a complete strategic reversal from viewing autonomous vehicles as an existential business threat.

Simultaneously, Uber has engaged lobbyists to embed this platform model into regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. In New Jersey and Washington DC, Uber representatives have promoted legislation requiring autonomous ride-hailing services to maintain human drivers for a set percentage of trips during transition periods—requirements that would prevent companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Zoox from operating independent ride-hailing apps, effectively forcing them onto Uber's platform or out of these markets entirely.