Uber is entering a new asset-heavy era in its history, entering into a new phase of asset-intensive activity in the emerging autonomous vehicle technology sector. The Financial Times has reported that the company has committed over $10 billion to buying autonomous vehicles and investing in companies developing the tech, with about $2.5 billion of this being used in direct investments. The remaining $7.5 million is expected to be used to buy robotaxis over the next few years. This shift from being asset-light to asset-based activity could potentially impact Uber's balance sheet. The company's focus on owning (or perhaps leasing) physical assets could make it interesting for the future of transportation. The article also mentions a seed round announcement imminent for a San Francisco-based startup working on an autonomous hauler.