Lyft will offer self-driving taxis in Dallas as soon as 2026
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Lyft plans to add Mobileye-powered self-driving robotaxis to its ride hailing app starting in Dallas as early as next year.
Why it matters: Like its main rival Uber, Lyft is embracing robotaxis without taking on the financial burden to develop the technology itself.
- While it briefly flirted with a plan to run its own robotaxi service, Lyft now plans to let partners deploy autonomous vehicles on its network.
Driving the news: The announcement builds on a partnership with Mobileye announced last November.
- Robotaxis with Mobileye's autonomous technology will debut in Dallas "as soon as 2026," Lyft said, leaving flexibility on the timing.
- The vehicles will be owned by Tokyo-based auto and fleet financing firm Marubeni Corp., the newest partner in the collaboration.
What's next: After Dallas, Lyft and Mobileye plan to add "thousands of vehicles" in multiple cities, Lyft CEO David Risher posted on X.
Between the lines: Mobileye specializes in self-driving software and hardware; Lyft is a network operator. Neither wants the cost or responsibility for owning and maintaining a fleet of robotaxis.
- That's where Marubeni comes in. It is one of Japan's largest international companies, and manages more than 900,000 vehicles through various subsidiaries and joint ventures.
What to watch: Lyft didn't say what type of vehicles will be used for the robotaxis.
- Mobileye has already been testing fully self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz minivans in Austin, Tex.
- Its camera-based advanced driver assistance technology is widely used by many automakers, including Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, General Motors and others.
The big picture: Lyft is trying to catch up to Uber, which has partnerships with an array of AV companies, including Waymo, the market leader.
- Lyft's early misfortune was partnering with AV companies that folded or retrenched, including Argo AI and Motional.
- Besides its Mobileye deal, Lyft announced plans to launch AVs with May Mobility in Atlanta this year.
