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Uber Sells Entire Stake In Serve Robotics As Partnership Cools

by News Editor

August 12, 2026

Uber has sold its entire stake in Serve Robotics, the autonomous delivery company that spun out of Uber-owned Postmates more than five years ago.

The sale was disclosed in a regulatory filing, marking the end of Uber’s investment in the robotics company after years of backing and partnership.

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From Postmates Division To Independent Company

Serve Robotics began as Postmates X, the robotics division of delivery startup Postmates, which Uber acquired for $2.65 billion in 2020.

The unit became an independent company called Serve Robotics in 2021. Uber remained an investor and later partnered with Serve to bring its sidewalk delivery robots to Uber Eats.

In 2023, the companies expanded the agreement to deploy up to 2,000 Serve robots across multiple U.S. markets.

Partnership Had Already Started To Weaken

Uber’s exit follows signs that the relationship was becoming less closely aligned.

Serve Robotics CEO and co-founder Ali Kashani said delivery volumes through Uber grew for 17 consecutive quarters from early 2022 through the first quarter of 2026. That trend reversed in the second quarter, which he attributed to lower-than-expected robot utilisation.

Kashani also said the two companies had “differing views” on how to scale their shared autonomous fleet, including fleet coordination and merchant integration. At the same time, Serve reported that deliveries through another food delivery partner increased by nearly 50% in a single quarter.

Serve did not expect to renew its partnership with Uber when the current agreement expires in early 2027, according to Kashani.

Uber Continues To Expand Its Autonomous Network

The divestment comes as Uber continues to work with companies developing autonomous vehicles and delivery technology. Serve Robotics is one of more than 30 autonomous vehicle technology companies that Uber has partnered with or invested in over the past several years.

The sale marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two companies, which once worked closely to bring autonomous delivery robots to Uber Eats customers.

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OpenAI Executive Brad Lightcap Leaves Company To Launch New Venture

by News Editor

August 12, 2026

Brad Lightcap, one of OpenAI’s longest-serving executives, is leaving the AI company to pursue a new venture after more than eight years with the organisation.

Lightcap announced his departure in a message to OpenAI employees on Tuesday, saying he was moving on to “start something new”. He did not provide details about his plans but said he would share more in the future.

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From CFO To Chief Operating Officer

Lightcap joined OpenAI in 2018 and spent four years as chief financial officer before becoming chief operating officer in 2022. In the role, he helped build and oversee teams covering finance, legal, human resources, corporate security, government and business development, as well as partnerships.

Earlier this year, OpenAI reorganised its executive structure and moved Lightcap into a role focused on special projects. Before joining OpenAI, he worked with CEO Sam Altman at venture capital firm Y Combinator.

OpenAI Faces Executive Turnover

Lightcap’s departure comes during a period of significant changes at the top of OpenAI. In July, Fidji Simo, who had served as the company’s No. 2 executive and led its AGI efforts, announced that she would step down from the role.

Several other senior executives have also left the company in recent months, including former Sora chief Bill Peebles and Kevin Weil, who previously led OpenAI’s Science division. The leadership changes come as OpenAI prepares for a potential IPO that could become one of the most significant technology listings in recent years.

Lightcap Hints At What Comes Next

In his departure message, Lightcap said he had spent recent months thinking about “the next horizon” and the challenges that could affect the success of OpenAI’s mission.

He suggested that his next project would address “important new things” the world will need to get right in the coming years, without revealing further details. Lightcap also expressed continued confidence in OpenAI, saying he believes in the company “more than ever” and plans to support its mission from a different position.