Uber set to offer autonomous taxi rides in San Francisco Bay Area in 2026
CBS1 day
Uber Launches Autonomous Taxi Service by 2026
Above: Uber signage at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, on Aug. 3, 2025. Image copyright: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
Autonomous vehicles represent a revolutionary technological advancement and safety breakthrough that will save lives. Studies show AVs could have prevented 1,300 deaths in California alone over three years because they don't drive drunk, speed or get distracted as humans do. These machines will be held to higher safety standards than fallible human drivers, making roads dramatically safer for everyone.
Techno-skeptic narrative
Robotaxis are destroying livelihoods while putting public safety at risk with their reckless deployment. These vehicles have blocked emergency responders over 60 times, rolled over fire hoses during house fires and killed pets. Meanwhile, human drivers are working longer hours for less pay as tech companies treat San Francisco like their personal testing ground.