Uber announced it will equip its human drivers' vehicles with sensor kits to collect real-world data for autonomous vehicle (AV) companies and AI model training across the United States [1]. The company currently operates a small, dedicated fleet of sensor-equipped cars as part of its AV Labs program, launched in January 2026, separate from its broader driver network [1].
Uber's chief technology officer, Praveen Neppalli Naga, said at a TechCrunch StrictlyVC event on April 30 that the company must first fully understand sensor technologies and navigate regulatory frameworks before scaling the program to millions of drivers. "That is the direction we want to go eventually. But first we need to get the understanding of the sensor kits and how they all work," Naga said. He added that Uber wants to ensure regulatory clarity on the use and sharing of sensor data in every state [1].
Uber has formed partnerships with 25 autonomous vehicle companies, including London's Wayve, which benefits from data collected in real-world conditions [1]. The company is building an "AV cloud," a comprehensive library of labeled sensor data for its partners to support AV development [1]. According to Naga, "data" is the primary bottleneck for autonomous vehicle progress rather than the underlying technology. He explained, "Companies like Waymo need to go around and collect the data, collect different scenarios" [1].
While Uber abandoned its own self-driving car efforts years ago, this plan to leverage its extensive driver network for data collection could sustain its influence in the AV ecosystem [1]. The program represents a shift from operating self-driving vehicles to enabling partners by supplying large volumes of sensor data gathered from ordinary rides.
Uber's timeline began with the January launch of its AV Labs small sensor fleet and extended to the April announcement of plans to scale sensor deployment across its drivers [1]. The company's next steps hinge on resolving sensor technology challenges and state-level regulations before the sensor rollout can expand beyond the current pilot cars [1].