Unusual Finds in Uber’s Robotaxis: From Squishmallows to Dentures
Over the past decade, Uber’s annual Lost & Found Index has offered a fascinating glimpse into the items passengers inadvertently leave behind. This compilation ranges from everyday essentials like smartphones and laptops to more unexpected objects such as live fish, ankle monitors, toboggans, packages of live butterflies, and single Louboutin shoes.
In the latest edition of this report, Uber highlights a new dimension: the items forgotten in its autonomous vehicles, or robotaxis. Within the past year, thousands of belongings have been left behind in these driverless cars. Common items include phones, keys, wallets, passports, and headphones. However, some discoveries have been more peculiar, such as a set of dentures, a bag emblazoned with I Heart Hot Dads, and a blue hat labeled Emotional Support Human.
Beyond the amusement these items provide, they underscore a logistical challenge and business opportunity: returning lost possessions in a world increasingly reliant on autonomous transportation.
Uber’s Expansion into Autonomous Vehicles
Uber has been actively forging partnerships with various autonomous vehicle (AV) technology companies. A significant milestone was reached in March 2025 with the launch of the Waymo on Uber robotaxi service in Austin. This collaboration has since expanded to Atlanta. Additionally, Uber has integrated other AV companies into its platform, including Motional in Las Vegas and Avride in Dallas, though these services currently operate with human safety operators present.
The fact that thousands of items have been reported lost in robotaxis over a single year indicates the substantial volume of autonomous rides completed through Uber’s app. This also highlights Uber’s preparedness in managing and returning lost items, ranging from a 15-pound yo-yo and a large black marble duck to a Squishmallow and a Charli XCX poster.
Retrieving Lost Items from Robotaxis
For passengers who leave belongings in a robotaxi, the recovery process mirrors that of traditional Uber rides:
1. Open the Uber app.
2. Navigate to the Activity tab.
3. Select the trip during which the item was lost.
4. Contact customer support through messaging, chat, or call.
Once the item is located, riders have two options:
– Pay a $15 fee for an Uber Courier driver to deliver the item on the same day.
– Retrieve the item in person from an AV depot, where the autonomous vehicles are stored and maintained.
Uber Courier, previously known as Uber Connect, was launched in 2020 to facilitate the sending of packages and personal items between local addresses. This service has been adapted to assist in the return of items left in robotaxis.
Amy Satrom, Uber’s global head of autonomous support, emphasized the company’s commitment:
With tens of millions of lost items reported on Uber each year, we’ve spent the last decade building systems that help riders quickly and seamlessly reunite with their belongings. As autonomous rides continue to scale on Uber, we’re bringing that same expertise to AVs—combining our fleet operations, support teams, and hybrid network to make getting a lost item back simple, even when there’s no driver behind the wheel.
Uber’s Broader Autonomous Vehicle Strategy
In February 2026, Uber announced the formation of Uber Autonomous Solutions, a new division aimed at managing all aspects of operating autonomous vehicles, including robotaxis, self-driving trucks, and sidewalk delivery robots. This division offers a suite of services encompassing software and support, reflecting Uber’s ambition to become a comprehensive facilitator in the autonomous vehicle industry.
Uber’s partnerships extend to numerous AV technology companies. For instance, in January 2026, Uber collaborated with Lucid Motors and Nuro to unveil a new robotaxi model based on the Lucid Gravity SUV, equipped with advanced sensors and powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor computer. This vehicle is undergoing public road testing, with plans for a commercial launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.
Additionally, Uber has expanded its robotaxi operations internationally. In March 2026, Uber and Chinese AV company WeRide launched driverless robotaxi services in Dubai, covering various districts and operated locally by Tawasul, a UAE-based mobility and fleet operator.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite these advancements, Uber faces challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector. In May 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an investigation into Avride, an Uber partner, following multiple crashes involving its self-driving vehicles. These incidents raise concerns about the safety and reliability of autonomous technology.
Nevertheless, Uber remains committed to its vision of integrating autonomous vehicles into its platform. The company’s proactive approach to managing lost items in robotaxis demonstrates its dedication to enhancing the rider experience, even in the absence of human drivers.
As Uber continues to expand its autonomous services, the company is poised to address both the logistical challenges and opportunities that arise in this evolving landscape.
