Podcast Episode Summary
Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Episode: Uber and Zoox CEOs Talk Robotaxi Partnership
Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Ed Ludlow, Bloomberg Tech
Guests: Dara Khosrowshahi (CEO of Uber), Aicha Evans (CEO of Zoox)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth discussion about the newly announced partnership between Uber and Amazon’s Zoox to deploy purpose-built robotaxis in Las Vegas (and Los Angeles the following year). Host Ed Ludlow brings together Dara Khosrowshahi of Uber and Aicha Evans of Zoox to explore the motivations, logistics, and strategic implications of integrating Zoox’s autonomous vehicles into Uber’s ride-hailing marketplace, with a focus on scalability, user experience, data sharing, and the road ahead for autonomous mobility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zoox's Approach & the Decision to Partner with Uber

• Zoox is known for being vertically integrated—controlling the tech stack, vehicle, app, and service.
• Aicha Evans emphasizes that this approach hasn't changed but stresses the need to be practical for commercial deployment, hence the collaboration with Uber.
  • "We'd be practical about our commercial deployment. This is a big market... We're really looking forward to bringing our experience and this way to ride to the Uber platform." (01:17)

2. Value Proposition of the Partnership

• Uber’s Role: Uber provides massive global distribution and access to diverse customer bases, analogous to how it partners with major brands on Uber Eats.
  • "We bring enormous distribution on a global basis... You have some of the best brands in the world... having a direct interaction with customers through their own apps, but also using the platform to expand their distribution..." (01:56, Dara Khosrowshahi)
• The partnership is not exclusive: customers may get matched with a Zoox vehicle algorithmically within Uber, not as a selectable option at first.

3. Deployment Mechanics in Las Vegas and Los Angeles

• The rollout will be small-scale initially, with possible ride assignments to Zoox vehicles determined by Uber’s matching algorithm.
• The intent is to accelerate Zoox’s exposure to the market by leveraging Uber's established user base.
  • "You have all kinds of people who show up in Las Vegas. Some might know about Zoox, some might not, and the ones who don't probably know about Uber. So why not take advantage of that?" (03:12, Aicha Evans)

4. Business Model & Revenue Sharing

• Details of revenue split are not the immediate focus; enhancing the customer experience takes precedence.
  • "For us now the focus is going to be the customer experience... the economics take care of themselves over the long term." (03:41, Dara Khosrowshahi)

5. Data Sharing and Operational Knowledge

• Uber will share traffic pattern data with Zoox, giving Zoox direct access to data that supports efficient, large-scale operations.
  • "We are certainly going to work with Zoox in terms of traffic patterns... the combination... is going to help Zoox be even more efficient." (04:17, Dara Khosrowshahi)
• Zoox benefits by learning from Uber’s experience with large event logistics and quick deployment.
  • "The experience of dealing with things or just starting to deal with large events, things that Uber knows how to do in their sleep, will essentially speed up our knowledge..." (04:41, Aicha Evans)

6. Cautious Rollout and Scaling

• Zoox’s approach remains cautious: small-scale, learn, then scale.
  • "Our approach will always be cautious and, and small and scale from there. What's changed is that we're deploying in Vegas. We know the market very well..." (05:20, Aicha Evans)
• Uber’s capital-light, open-platform approach is reinforced by this partnership.

7. Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Ride-Hailing

• Uber views autonomy as the inevitable future, supplementing both human and robot drivers.
  • "We think autonomous represents the future of transportation, right? It's safer ultimately than human beings... So this is just another step in our direction of an open platform." (06:10, Dara Khosrowshahi)
• Zoox’s vehicle is positioned as providing a unique, purpose-built, spacious, and efficient experience.

8. Market Feedback and Investor Response

• The market reacted positively to the news, with Uber’s share price up.
• Discussion of positive investor sentiment around Uber’s model of partnering with top players in tech and automotive.

9. Experience in Las Vegas Market

• Dara shares firsthand impressions of Zoox's robotaxi: spacious, efficient, and perfect for social groups visiting Las Vegas.
  • "When you're inside, it feels so big and so generous in terms of the space. But then actually the vehicle itself is quite efficient. So for me it was very interesting." (06:47, Dara Khosrowshahi)

10. Support from Amazon and Financial Backing for Zoox

• Zoox is confident in Amazon’s backing and is focused on execution rather than capital concerns.
  • "Amazon has been great. We're super happy to have them as a parent, capital is not something I worry about. I worry about executing, delivering." (07:52, Aicha Evans)

11. Uber as an Open Platform and Potential for Future Partnerships

• Uber is open to working with all AV providers, including holding discussions with Tesla, but emphasizes today's focus on Zoox.
  • "We talk with all the various AV providers... But today is about Zoox and we're here to celebrate that." (08:38, Dara Khosrowshahi)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Aicha Evans (Zoox):

  • "We'd be practical about our commercial deployment. This is a big market..." (01:17)
  • "Some might know about Zoox, some might not, and the ones who don't probably know about Uber." (03:12)
  • "Amazon has been great. We're super happy to have them as a parent, capital is not something I worry about. I worry about executing, delivering." (07:52)

• Dara Khosrowshahi (Uber):

  • "We bring enormous distribution on a global basis..." (01:56)
  • "We think autonomous represents the future of transportation..." (06:10)
  • "When you're inside, it feels so big and so generous in terms of the space. But then actually the vehicle itself is quite efficient." (06:47)

Important Timestamps

• 00:47 – Ed Ludlow introduces the robotaxi partnership and guests.
• 01:17 – Aicha Evans details Zoox’s approach to partnership.
• 01:56 – Dara Khosrowshahi on Uber's role and value.
• 03:12 – Aicha Evans explains the logic behind the platform model.
• 03:41 – Discussion of business model priorities.
• 04:17 – Data sharing between Uber and Zoox.
• 05:20 – Cautious rollout and lessons from Las Vegas.
• 06:10 – Uber's strategic vision for autonomy.
• 06:47 – Dara describes his personal experience in the Zoox robotaxi.
• 07:52 – Aicha Evans affirms Amazon’s capital support.
• 08:38 – Uber’s openness to future collaborations, including with Tesla.

Overall Tone & Flow

The episode is candid, forward-looking, and pragmatic, with both CEOs expressing enthusiasm for collaboration, openness to evolving the business, and a shared focus on safety, innovation, and delivering superior customer experience. Both emphasize long-term vision over short-term commercial details, highlighting adaptability and partnership as keys to unlocking the future of urban mobility.