Uber has introduced a standalone tasks program that compensates couriers for gathering real-world data to train AI systems. Assignments include recording unscripted Spanish dialogue and filming household chores such as loading a dishwasher, handwashing dishes and folding clothes, generating diverse datasets for delivery robots.

Uber agreed to invest $1.25 billion to acquire 10,000 Rivian R2 autonomous vehicles, with an option to add up to 40,000 more through 2031. The fleet is slated to launch in San Francisco and Miami in 2028, expanding to as many as 25 cities contingent on Rivian meeting key development goals.

These initiatives underscore Uber’s push to diversify revenue streams and accelerate autonomous capabilities. The AI tasks program leverages its contractor base to bolster robotics training, while the Rivian partnership aims to cut ride-hailing costs and secure long-term access to self-driving technology.