Weekly Roundup: Uber and Nvidia Partner on $375 Million Robotaxi Investment Through Nebius

Uber launches AI training side gigs for drivers. Uber extends trip windows, redesigns the Heatmap, and ends tip baiting. Atlanta driver shares how her earnings plummeted 74%. Lyft continues international push with a Toronto tech hub. Lyft acquires TBR Global for $110 million. We break it all down for you.

Uber and Nvidia Partner on $375 Million Robotaxi Investment Through Nebius

SOURCE –  PYMNTS, @Nvidiadrive on X.com

Uber and Nvidia-backed AI infrastructure company Nebius announced plans to invest up to $375 million in robotaxi technology. The partnership will leverage Nvidia’s computing platforms and Uber’s rideshare network to develop and scale self-driving capabilities.

• Nebius, formerly the international arm of Russian tech giant Yandex, brings extensive AI infrastructure expertise and will provide the computing power necessary to train autonomous driving systems at scale.

• The investment represents one of the largest commitments to robotaxi technology in 2025.

• Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has previously acknowledged that autonomous vehicles will eventually reduce driver opportunities within the next 10 years.

Report Alleges DoorDash Allows Unauthorized Workers to Exploit Platform

SOURCE –  @CulperResearch on X.com, @DC_Draino on X.com

Short-seller Culper Research released allegations on social media claiming DoorDash’s platform enables unauthorized workers to deliver food by circumventing identity verification systems. The report suggests that some users are exploiting loopholes in DoorDash’s onboarding process to work without proper authorization, raising questions about the worker verification protocols.

• In response to the report, DoorDash said on X.com, “This report is false. Every Dasher must have a valid Social Security Number to sign up, no exceptions. You can’t sign up with an ITIN. We’re going to keep cracking down on account sharing and deactivating those who violate our rules.”

• If substantiated, the allegations could expose DoorDash to regulatory scrutiny and potential fines from federal agencies overseeing employment eligibility verification.

Border Patrol Arrests 11 Rideshare Drivers at Chicago O’Hare Airport

SOURCE – Block Club Chicago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested 11 rideshare drivers in the waiting lot at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on October 19, detaining them for immigration violations. The targeted enforcement action at one of the nation’s busiest rideshare pickup locations has sent shockwaves through the driver community, with many expressing fear about continuing to work at airports.

• Drivers with pending immigration cases or work authorization may still face detention.

• Neither Uber nor Lyft requires citizenship verification during the driver application process, though both companies conduct background checks that include Social Security number validation.

• Immigration attorneys warn that rideshare drivers working at airports or other federal property may face heightened enforcement risk compared to those operating on city streets.

Uber Rebrands ‘Green’ Option as ‘Uber Electric,’ Offers Drivers $4,000 EV Incentive

SOURCE – Reuters

Uber announced it is rebranding its low-emission “Uber Green” ride option to “Uber Electric” and will offer U.S. drivers up to $4,000 in incentives to switch to electric vehicles through partnerships with automakers and leasing companies. The rebrand aims to make EVs more prominent and accessible to riders while accelerating driver adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

• The $4,000 incentive can be applied toward EV purchases or leases, with Uber partnering with manufacturers like General Motors and Hertz to provide access to discounted electric vehicles.

• Uber Electric rides will cost riders roughly the same as standard UberX fares in most markets, removing the premium pricing that previously made Green rides less attractive to price-sensitive customers.

• The move comes despite ongoing concerns from drivers about insufficient public charging infrastructure, particularly in markets like New York City, where wait times at chargers can significantly reduce earning potential.

Lyft Pilots Cash Back Loyalty Program for Frequent Riders

SOURCE – Bloomberg (Paywall-free)

Lyft is testing a new rewards program that offers select users cash back on future rides, marking the company’s latest attempt to boost rider retention and compete more aggressively with Uber’s loyalty offerings. The pilot program provides users with credits they can apply to subsequent trips, incentivizing repeat usage without requiring an upfront subscription fee like Lyft Pink. Details about the cash back percentage and eligibility criteria remain limited as the test is in its early stages.

• The program differs from Lyft’s existing Lyft Pink subscription service, which charges $9.99 monthly for benefits like priority pickup and discounted rides.

• Cash back loyalty programs have proven successful in other industries like credit cards and retail, and could help Lyft reduce customer acquisition costs by encouraging repeat usage.

• The test comes as Lyft faces increased competition not just from Uber but also from emerging autonomous vehicle services like Waymo that offer no-tipping, predictable pricing to consumers.

Uber Wants To Pay You To Train Your Replacement

SOURCE – YouTube Shorts

Uber announced a new pilot program called “Digital Tasks” that allows U.S. drivers and couriers to earn money during downtime by completing AI training microtasks through the driver app. Learn more by watching the YouTube Short!

QUICK HITS

• Columbus, Ohio, authorities are warning rideshare users about a new verification scam where fraudsters impersonate Uber or Lyft support staff and trick drivers and riders into sharing account credentials or payment information under the guise of “verifying” their accounts. – 10TV

• A New Jersey Uber driver reached a $175,000 settlement after being falsely arrested in connection with a grandparent scam, where the driver unknowingly picked up cash as part of what authorities believed was a fraud scheme targeting elderly victims. – NJ.com

• A DoorDash driver went viral on TikTok after reporting being fired following a sexual assault report, sparking debate about how gig platforms handle safety incidents and complaints from workers who experience violence on the job. – Newsweek

• CEO of Fetii introduced Fetii AI and Fetii NeuralShuttle. – LinkedIn

• Want to learn more about the robotaxi industry? Subscribe to The Driverless Digest, our new newsletter and podcast dedicated to the future of autonomous vehicles.

Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content

Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:

• RSG266: Tower Mobility: The Uber Partner Paying Drivers $25/Hour + Benefits

• Drivers Are LOVING Lyft’s Return to Prime Time Pricing

• Drivers Hate Uber’s NEW Surge Map

• This Driver Drives Uber to Buy Bitcoin?!

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