Uber executive overseeing robotaxi push is latest leader to leave

An Uber Technologies Inc. executive overseeing the company’s global autonomous efforts across ride-hailing and delivery will depart next month, the latest in a string of leadership departures in the division this year.

Sarfraz Maredia, who has been with the company for more than 12 years, is leaving to pursue a top executive role at an undisclosed company outside of the transportation industry, according to an Uber spokesperson. His last day at Uber will be Nov. 16.

During his stint as global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, Uber invested in new technology and infrastructure to support the commercialization of self-driving cars on its app, even though the company isn’t building its own cars and is partnering with robotaxi manufacturers to offer rides. Those efforts include charging, fleet tooling and management, data collection, in-vehicle experience and remote assistance.

Maredia’s responsibilities will be split between Samarth Kejriwal, a senior director who currently oversees driverless vehicle operations and has been with Uber for more than a decade, and Aaron Emrich, who heads up autonomous delivery.

Shares of Uber erased gains to fall 1.6% before markets opened in New York. The stock has declined 13% so far this year through Monday’s close.

Uber’s autonomous division has seen a number of executive departures in a year when key partnerships with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo and Serve Robotics Inc. unraveled. That’s even as the company has committed more than $10 billion to supporting the commercialization of self-driving technology over the next few years, and is working to offer driverless rides to more customers globally with more than a dozen other partners.

Most of those efforts, which span several cities in the U.S., Middle East and in Europe, have been limited in scale as they rely on yet-to-be-produced robotaxis or local regulations. Uber has maintained it wants to operate a hybrid marketplace with autonomous vehicles, as well as human drivers and couriers, to meet varying demand throughout the day.

Guy Peterson, who was the head of business development for autonomous partnerships, joined Rivian Automotive Inc.’s bike spinoff, Also, as chief business officer this month. Lando Juarez, who was head of legal for Uber’s autonomous unit, left for Bedrock Robotics Inc. in June.

Uber also has conducted multiple rounds of job cuts to simplify operations and reallocate spending into the ride-sharing, delivery and robotaxi businesses. Last month, it axed about 3,300 jobs, 10% of its staff globally, after targeted cuts at its customer service and human resources departments earlier this year.

Maredia, who held roles leading the core U.S. ride-hailing and delivery businesses during his tenure, signaled his confidence in Uber’s autonomous strategy in a farewell memo to employees Tuesday.

“There’s never been more momentum behind our AV efforts than there is today,” he wrote. “Increasingly, our focus will be on scaling AVs in more cities and achieving higher supply density in those markets.”

Lung writes for Bloomberg.