What Uber's self-driving car program is and where it operates

Uber has developed and tested autonomous vehicles through a division called Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG). The company has run self-driving taxi services in limited cities, though the scope and status of these programs change over time. As of now, Uber does not operate a widespread self-driving service available to most riders — the technology remains in testing phases in specific locations.

The most visible self-driving program Uber has operated is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the company tested autonomous vehicles on public roads with human safety operators inside. Uber has also explored autonomous delivery and freight services separate from passenger rides. These programs are not the same as the regular Uber ride service you may use — they are distinct testing operations with limited availability.

Because autonomous vehicle programs change frequently — companies pause testing, move to new cities, or shift focus — the current status of Uber's self-driving work may differ from what was true six months ago. Before assuming a self-driving option exists in your area, check Uber's official website or contact Uber directly to learn what is actually running near you right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber's self-driving car program operates through Uber Advanced Technologies Group and has tested vehicles in select cities, not nationwide.
  • Self-driving Uber rides are not yet a standard service option — they remain in testing with human safety operators present in the vehicle.
  • Autonomous vehicle programs pause, restart, and move between cities, so availability changes frequently and varies by location.
  • Uber also tests self-driving technology for delivery and freight separately from passenger ride services.
  • To find out whether self-driving options exist in your area, check Uber's official channels rather than assuming the service is available.

How self-driving vehicles differ from regular Uber rides

A regular Uber ride connects you with a human driver through the app. You request a ride, a driver accepts, and they pick you up and take you to your destination. A self-driving Uber would work differently: the vehicle itself would be the "driver," controlled by computer systems and sensors rather than a person behind the wheel.

In Uber's testing programs, a human safety operator sits in the driver's seat during every ride. This person monitors the vehicle's performance, can take control if something goes wrong, and is responsible for the vehicle's safety. The rider still uses the Uber app to request the ride, but they are not riding with a traditional driver — they are riding in a vehicle operated by software with a trained operator present as a backup.

The experience for a rider can feel similar to a regular Uber ride in some ways: you still get picked up, taken to your destination, and charged through the app. The main difference is that the vehicle operates itself, and the person in the front seat is there to monitor and intervene, not to navigate or make driving decisions under normal conditions.

The technology behind Uber's autonomous vehicles

Uber's self-driving cars use a combination of cameras, radar, lidar (a sensor that creates a 3D map using laser light), and computer software to perceive the road and make driving decisions. Lidar is especially important — it lets the vehicle "see" objects around it in three dimensions, even in darkness or bad weather, by measuring how long laser pulses take to bounce back.

The vehicle's software processes all this sensor data in real time to identify other cars, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic signals, and road markings. The system then decides what to do — accelerate, brake, turn, or stop — based on traffic rules and road conditions. This happens continuously as the vehicle moves, with the safety operator watching to make sure the system is working correctly.

Building this technology is expensive and time-consuming. Uber has invested heavily in developing the software, testing it on public roads, and training safety operators. The company has also faced technical challenges, accidents during testing, and regulatory hurdles in different cities. These factors explain why self-driving Uber rides are not yet widely available, even though the company has been working on them for years.

Where Uber's self-driving program has operated

Pittsburgh was Uber's primary testing ground for autonomous passenger rides. The company launched self-driving rides there in 2018 and continued testing for several years. Riders in Pittsburgh could request an autonomous ride through the Uber app and experience a self-driving vehicle with a safety operator present.

Uber has also tested autonomous technology in other locations and for different purposes. The company explored self-driving freight services, partnering with trucking companies to test long-haul autonomous trucks. Delivery services and other autonomous applications have been part of Uber's broader strategy, though these are separate from the passenger ride program.

The status of these programs has shifted over time. Uber sold its self-driving car division (Uber ATG) to Aurora Innovation in 2020, though Uber maintains a partnership with Aurora and continues to be involved in autonomous vehicle development. This means Uber's direct control over self-driving programs changed, and the company's focus shifted. Always check current sources to learn whether any self-driving service is running in your city today.

Safety and regulation of self-driving Uber vehicles

Self-driving vehicles must follow state and local traffic laws just like human drivers do. However, there are no uniform federal rules for autonomous vehicles yet — each state sets its own regulations. Some states allow testing on public roads with safety operators; others restrict it or require special permits. Cities can also impose their own rules on top of state regulations.

Safety operators in Uber's program receive training to monitor the vehicle and take control if needed. They are responsible for the vehicle's safety and must be ready to intervene at any moment. Despite these precautions, accidents have happened during testing. In 2018, an Uber self-driving vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona, which led to investigations, changes in Uber's safety practices, and increased scrutiny from regulators.

Insurance for self-driving vehicles is still being worked out. Traditional car insurance assumes a human driver is in control. With autonomous vehicles, questions arise about who is liable if an accident occurs — the vehicle's owner, the software company, the safety operator, or someone else. These legal and insurance questions remain unsettled and vary by state.

What the future of Uber's self-driving program might look like

Uber's long-term goal is to deploy self-driving vehicles at scale, reducing the need for human drivers and potentially lowering ride costs. However, the timeline for this remains uncertain. The technology is advancing, but it is not yet reliable enough for widespread deployment without human oversight, and regulatory approval in most places has not been granted.

The sale of Uber ATG to Aurora Innovation suggests that Uber may focus on integrating autonomous technology into its platform rather than building and operating the vehicles itself. This means Uber could eventually offer self-driving rides by partnering with companies like Aurora that develop the technology, rather than doing all the development in-house.

For most riders today, self-driving Uber rides are not an option. Regular Uber rides with human drivers remain the standard service. If and when self-driving rides become widely available in your area, Uber will advertise this through the app and its website. Until then, the technology continues to develop behind the scenes in testing programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a self-driving Uber ride right now?

In most places, no. Self-driving Uber rides are not a standard service. If testing is happening in your city, Uber would show a self-driving option in the app. Check the Uber app or website to see what services are available where you live. If you do not see a self-driving option, it is not running in your area.

Is it safe to ride in a self-driving Uber?

Self-driving Ubers in testing have a trained safety operator in the vehicle at all times, ready to take control if something goes wrong. However, accidents have occurred during testing. Safety is an ongoing concern as the technology develops. Riders in testing programs accept some level of risk by choosing to participate.

Will self-driving Ubers replace human drivers?

That is Uber's long-term goal, but it is not happening soon. The technology is not yet reliable enough for widespread deployment without human oversight, and many cities have not approved autonomous vehicles for regular service. Even if self-driving vehicles become common, the transition will take years.

How much does a self-driving Uber ride cost?

Pricing varies depending on the testing program and location. In Pittsburgh, self-driving rides were priced similarly to regular Uber rides. If a self-driving option is available in your area, the app will show the price before you request the ride, just like a regular Uber.

What happened to Uber's self-driving car division?

Uber sold its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) to Aurora Innovation in 2020. Uber still partners with Aurora and is involved in autonomous vehicle development, but the company no longer owns and operates the self-driving program directly. This partnership shapes how Uber may offer self-driving rides in the future.