The launch, if successful, is poised to propel the businesses of both companies. Uber, which has locked in partnerships with 18 autonomous vehicles companies, said it has an annual run rate of 1.5 million mobility and delivery AV trips on its network.

Tesla's pilot Robotaxi service in Austin is generating a buzz on social media, sparking excitement and safety concerns. A social media analysis by GlobalData indicates that early users praised both the ride quality and the user-friendly app.