Uber launches parking service following SpotHero acquisition, with an eye on robotaxis

Uber announced Uber Parking, a native in-app reservation tool that lets drivers find, book, and pay for garage and lot spaces ahead of time, according to The Verge. The feature is powered by Uber’s acquisition of SpotHero, announced in February, which gives Uber access to a network of over 13,000 facilities across more than 400 cities, TechCrunch reported. The Verge said the network spans more than 400 cities.

The service is launching in 15 initial U.S. markets: Chicago, New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Seattle, as both The Verge and TechCrunch reported. Uber said it will eventually roll out to SpotHero’s existing footprint.

Users tap a “Parking” icon in the Uber app to view an interactive map with upfront prices and arrival times, The Verge reported. They can filter by self-park or valet, outdoor lot or garage, and whether staff are on-site. After entering vehicle details and license plate information, users enter certain lots using a QR code or automatic license plate scan. TechCrunch said users enter destination, date, and time, then review options on an interactive map, book after entering vehicle details, and pay with the payment method in their Uber wallet. Reservations can be canceled for free right up until the start time, according to both outlets.

Uber One subscribers can earn 10 percent back on parking reservations as account credits within 24 hours, The Verge reported. TechCrunch said Uber One had grown to more than 55 million members as of September 30, while The Verge put membership at more than 55 million across 47 countries as of late 2026.

The move ties into Uber’s robotaxi ambitions. The Verge reported that Uber works with over 30 autonomous vehicle partners across multiple cities and plans to turn the parking facilities into urban holding pens and waiting areas for driverless robotaxis. TechCrunch said Uber plans to leverage the spots for the dozens of autonomous vehicle companies it has partnered with, using them as staging and waiting locations to reduce congestion and deadheading, which it defines as miles traveled without a paying passenger or cargo.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that commute is one of Uber’s largest categories, and that offering an Uber to work, a pass to avoid surge, and parking builds out inventory for commuters, TechCrunch reported. The Verge noted that by entering parking, Uber is tacitly admitting its earlier mission to end personal car ownership did not succeed, while also keeping customers within its platform ecosystem.