Uber’s Robotaxi Expansion Faces Safety and Liability Concerns
Uber is pushing forward with plans to deploy up to 50,000 Rivian robotaxis, including in San Francisco, but a new report from Consumer Watchdog raises serious questions about safety and accountability. The company is simultaneously pursuing a 2026 California ballot initiative and legislation in other states that would significantly limit its liability in the event of accidents involving its autonomous vehicles.
The “License to Kill” Ballot Initiative
Consumer Watchdog’s report, titled “License To Kill: How Uber’s Rush To Close Courthouse Doors And Roll Out Robocars Threatens Public Safety,” alleges that Uber’s proposed California ballot measure would shield the company from responsibility for injuries, maiming and fatalities caused by its robotaxis. The initiative would cap recoverable medical expenses at Medicare reimbursement rates, potentially limiting access to care for accident victims and discouraging healthcare providers from treating them.
the proposal could make it economically unviable for attorneys to take on cases on a contingency basis. The structure of the proposed law would require medical expenses and attorney fees to be drawn from the same 25% allocation of a settlement, potentially leaving lawyers with no compensation if medical costs exceed a certain threshold.
Rivian R2 and Testing Concerns
Uber’s partnership with Rivian is central to its robotaxi ambitions. Still, the Rivian R2, the vehicle slated for deployment, has not yet logged any autonomous vehicle testing miles in California, according to data from the California DMV through the end of 2025. A recent report from Torque News detailed a broken-down Rivian R2 prototype in Los Angeles in February 2026, highlighting potential reliability issues.
Experts suggest that extensive testing is crucial before deploying autonomous vehicles. A RAND report emphasizes that fully autonomous vehicles would require “hundreds of millions of miles and sometimes hundreds of billions of miles” of testing to demonstrate safety in terms of fatalities and injuries.
Past Incidents and Public Perception
Uber’s history with self-driving cars includes a fatal pedestrian accident involving one of its autonomous vehicles, raising concerns about the company’s safety record. Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, stated that Uber is “arrogantly using its power to change the rules of the road” to accelerate the rollout of robotaxis before they are fully ready.
Polls indicate that many Californians are hesitant about the widespread deployment of autonomous vehicles on public roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Uber’s ballot initiative trying to achieve? Uber’s California ballot initiative aims to limit the company’s liability in accidents involving its robotaxis.
Has the Rivian R2 been extensively tested? As of late 2025, the Rivian R2 had not logged any autonomous vehicle testing miles in California.
What are the potential consequences of the medical cost caps? The proposed medical cost caps could limit access to care for accident victims and discourage healthcare providers from treating them.
What is Consumer Watchdog’s stance on Uber’s robotaxi plans? Consumer Watchdog argues that Uber is prioritizing speed of deployment over public safety and accountability.
What does the RAND report say about testing requirements? The RAND report states that fully autonomous vehicles would need to be driven hundreds of millions, or even billions, of miles to demonstrate their safety.
Did Uber have a previous incident involving a pedestrian fatality? Yes, Uber’s autonomous car was responsible for the only recorded pedestrian fatality caused by a robotaxi.
What is Uber investing in Rivian? Uber is investing up to $1.25 billion in Rivian to help launch robotaxis.
