Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Motional launched a robotaxi service in Las Vegas, allowing riders to be matched with autonomous electric vehicles through the Uber app.

The service operates at designated locations along Las Vegas Boulevard, including rideshare zones at Resorts World Las Vegas and Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas, plus Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and areas in Downtown Las Vegas and the Town Square shopping district. The companies plan to expand the operating area in the future.

Riders requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi at no additional cost. Users receive notifications when matched and can choose to accept or switch to a non-autonomous vehicle ride.

The IONIQ 5 robotaxi was developed through a partnership between Motional and Hyundai Motor Group. The vehicle is certified under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and meets Uber's Autonomous Safety Guidelines.

Initially, the robotaxis will operate with a human vehicle operator monitoring from behind the steering wheel. Motional expects to begin fully driverless service without a human operator by the end of this year.

"We're excited to take the next step with Motional as we launch autonomous rides in Las Vegas," said Sarfraz Maredia, President of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.

Motional and Uber established a 10-year framework agreement in 2022 following pilot programs that included Uber Eats delivery service in Los Angeles and ride hailing in Las Vegas. Motional, majority-owned by Hyundai Motor Group, has conducted over 130,000 autonomous rides through its commercial pilot programs.