ROBOTAXIS COLLECTING ODDBALL LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Uber expanded its annual accounting of forgotten items to include robotaxis for the first time, as the company now operates enough autonomous vehicles to track meaningful data. The index captures a snapshot of what riders leave behind in self-driving cars operating on Uber's platform. Notable discoveries include a unicorn Beanie Baby, a green bowling ball, and a pair of dentures. Uber does not operate its own robotaxis but partners with autonomous vehicle operators to offer the service. The company's decision to include robotaxis in the Lost and Found Index reflects the growing scale of its autonomous vehicle operations over the past year. The index serves as both a curiosity piece and a practical tool, highlighting the volume of items passengers abandon during rides. It underscores operational challenges for autonomous vehicle services, which must manage lost-and-found logistics similar to traditional rideshare platforms.