Uber exits Serve Robotics stake as delivery robot partnership winds down

Uber has sold its stake in Serve Robotics as the two companies move toward ending a long running partnership centered on autonomous sidewalk deliveries.

Uber disclosed in a regulatory filing that it exited its position in Serve during the second quarter. The divestment came during the same period that an Uber executive stepped down from Serve’s board.

Serve was spun out of Postmates after Uber acquired the delivery company in 2020, with Uber remaining an investor as Serve expanded its fleet of four wheeled delivery robots across cities including Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago.

Uber had been reducing its stake in Serve since at least early 2025 while directing more capital toward other autonomous vehicle and robotics companies.

Serve CEO Ali Kashani told investors last week that the company does not plan to renew its agreement with Uber when the contract expires in early 2027.

Kashani said discussions between the companies had revealed different views on how their shared autonomous fleet should operate, including disagreements around fleet coordination and merchant integration.

Delivery volumes through Uber declined during the second quarter for the first time since the companies began their multicity partnership in 2022. Serve subsequently cut its full year revenue outlook by more than half.

Uber also offered fewer orders to Serve during the second quarter compared with the first, according to people familiar with the matter. Serve’s number of daily active robots declined to 792 from 812 during the period, while the number of hours its fleet was available for deliveries fell 4.7%.

Uber raised concerns about Serve’s operational performance and reliability as the robotics company expanded into additional markets, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Serve, meanwhile, has raised concerns around how Uber displayed delivery estimates to customers, which could leave its robots with insufficient time to complete orders.

The split comes as Uber continues building its autonomous delivery network through other partners. The company currently works with robot providers including Coco Robotics, Avride, Starship Technologies and Cartken, as well as drone delivery company Flytrex.

Serve has also expanded beyond sidewalk delivery. Earlier this year, the company acquired Diligent Robotics, which develops indoor robots designed to assist hospital workers.

Despite plans to let the current agreement expire, Kashani said Serve remains in discussions with Uber and is open to finding a way for the companies to continue working together.