Uber autonomy leader to exit as robotaxi unit sees more turnover
Sarfraz Maredia, who has helped lead Uber's autonomous vehicle efforts, will leave the company on Nov. 16 after more than 12 years. His duties will be divided between senior directors Samarth Kejriwal and Aaron Emrich rather than given to one successor. The departure follows other leadership exits in Uber's autonomy division and a broader restructuring that cut about 3,300 corporate roles.
Sarfraz Maredia, a longtime Uber executive involved in autonomous vehicle strategy, is scheduled to depart on Nov. 16, 2026, after more than 12 years. Rather than appoint one successor, Uber will divide his portfolio between senior directors Samarth Kejriwal and Aaron Emrich, both internal veterans.
His exit follows 2026 departures by Guy Peterson and Lando Juarez from the autonomy unit. In September 2026, Uber said it would eliminate about 3,300 corporate positions—roughly 10% of staff—while prioritizing autonomous vehicle work. The company has pledged over $10 billion to robotaxi partnerships and has withdrawn from Nigeria and Uganda.
The turnover and restructuring could affect Uber employees, particularly autonomy and corporate staff facing uncertainty as roles are cut or reassigned. Robotaxi partners and riders may see timelines shift if leadership transitions slow integration. Over time, human drivers could face pressure if autonomous services expand, while passengers might gain new mobility options. The scale of these effects will likely depend on execution, regulation, and how quickly partnerships mature.