2026 is expected to be a breakthrough year for the US robotaxi market, as autonomous vehicles shift gears from pilot projects to large-scale deployment across major cities.

Some players are expanding their fleets and coverage, while others are working to remove safety drivers and enter new metro areas. Meanwhile, several ride-hailing companies face strategic challenges as they invest in fleets but lack proprietary AV technology.

In this week’s episode, Senior Research Analyst for the Internet Sector, Ross Sandler, and Global Head of the Product Management Group, Patrick Coffey, discuss the emerging investment themes, from rapid fleet growth to evolving partnerships and the race to improve remote operator ratios for cost efficiency.

Listen in as they map out where the robotaxi journey is headed in 2026.

Listeners can hear more on this topic:

•Flip Side #76 – Is the AI investment cycle a sign of history repeating?

•Barclays Brief #7 - US dollar & the AI capex cycle

Clients can read more on Barclays Live:

•Charts Worth a Look: The US Robotaxi Market Heading into 2026

•Tesla, Inc. - FSD data driving excitement...we see considerations, but narrative remains intact

•What if... robotaxis & ride-hail drive a $42bn alcohol boom in the US?

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