Uber has promoted Prashanth Krishnamurthy to chief financial officer as the company ramps up investment in autonomous vehicles and robotaxi partnerships.
Ride-hailing giant Uber has elevated Prashanth Krishnamurthy to chief financial officer, signalling tighter financial oversight as the company deepens its autonomous vehicle and robotaxi strategy.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Uber balances near-term profitability with long-term bets on automation.
Financial discipline meets long-term ambition
Its robotaxi strategy requires careful capital allocation. While autonomous vehicles promise lower costs in the long run, they demand heavy upfront investment and patient timelines.
As CFO, Krishnamurthy will oversee:
- Capital deployment
- Partnership economics
- Risk management around autonomy
The role is critical as Uber navigates one of the most complex transitions in its history.
Robotaxis: asset-light, partnership-driven
Unlike some rivals, It has avoided building autonomous vehicles in-house, opting instead for partnerships.
This asset-light approach limits capital intensity but introduces dependency risks, making financial structuring and partner incentives crucial.
The CFO’s office plays a central role in determining whether these partnerships can scale sustainably.
Market expectations have shifted
Investors now expect Uber to demonstrate:
- Predictable cash flows
- Disciplined spending
- Clear milestones for autonomy
The CFO appointment reflects a recognition that robotaxi narratives must be grounded in financial reality, not just technological optimism.
Autonomy remains uncertain
Despite advances, full autonomy remains elusive. Regulatory approval, safety validation, and public trust all pose hurdles.
Uber’s leadership has increasingly framed robotaxis as a long-term option rather than an immediate disruptor.
Krishnamurthy’s challenge will be aligning financial planning with uncertain timelines.
Broader leadership signal
Executive appointments often reflect strategic priorities. Elevating a finance leader as autonomy investments grow suggests Uber intends to avoid repeating earlier cycles of overextension.
For now, the company appears focused on incremental progress rather than moonshots.
