Uber Technologies

Uber has acquired parking broker Spothero and now lets users pre-book and automatically pay for parking via the Uber app in 15 U.S. cities. The service will soon expand to as many as 400 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Users can filter by space type and provide vehicle model and license plate; entry and exit are handled by QR code or license-plate recognition, and extensions are also managed through the app. » More on heise.de

Uber introduced Uber Parking, a native app feature that lets users find, book, and pay for garage and lot spaces across a network of more than 13,000 facilities from SpotHero. The feature offers filters, QR-code or license-plate entry, free pre-start cancellations, and Uber One credits, and launches in 15 major U.S. markets before expanding to SpotHero’s 400-city footprint. Uber frames the move as both a commuter loyalty play to keep customers in its ecosystem and a strategic step to use parking facilities as staging and holding areas for future robotaxi fleets, reducing empty vehicle circulation and emissions. » More on theverge.com

Uber disclosed that third‑party AI agents arranged just four rides and about 500 Uber Eats deliveries out of roughly 320 million transactions in the third quarter, signaling minimal current risk of AI disintermediation. Management said it is open to working with AI firms but expects customers to prefer the Uber app and is building its own AI tools to keep users on-platform. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called the phenomenon very early and emphasized the company’s strategic positioning going forward. » More on theverge.com

Uber has begun testing self-driving robotaxis in Manchester using technology from partners Pony and Verne, conducting street mapping runs with a safety driver and no passengers. The trials follow limited, safety-driver supervised services in London and Europe’s first service in Zagreb. No formal application has been made to operate driverless passenger services in Greater Manchester, and unions and local bodies have raised concerns about job losses, safety and accessibility. Uber expects to offer robotaxi trips in up to 15 cities globally by the end of 2026. » More on theguardian.com

The Munich Administrative Court has provisionally suspended the application of minimum fares for hire-car services such as Uber, which have been in force since July, in five interim orders. The general ordinance, which was based on the taxi tariff (base fare €5.90 plus €2.70/km), is likely unlawful because it exceeds the city's area of competence. The Hauptzollamt had previously identified labor and social law violations and disregard of the minimum wage by the providers. Bolt reported a 44% collapse in demand after the rule was introduced; the main proceedings are still pending. » More on finanzen.net