Uber Loses Another Top Executive From Autonomous Vehicle Team
Uber’s self-driving division faces another high-profile departure as Sherif Marakby, Vice President of Global Vehicle Programs, exits after just one year with the company. The Ford veteran brought 25 years of automotive expertise to Uber’s Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh.
Marakby’s Impact and Sudden Exit
During his tenure, Marakby focused on manufacturer strategy and vehicle integration for Uber’s autonomous ambitions. An Uber spokesperson acknowledged his contributions, stating: “Sherif’s deep experience and knowledge of the automotive industry have helped us tremendously in working to make self-driving cars a reality.”
This departure continues a troubling trend for Uber’s autonomous vehicle program, which has seen several key players leave, including:
- Raffi Krikorian (Senior Director of Self-Driving Software)
- Brian McClendon (VP of Advanced Technologies)
- Peter Rander (Engineering Lead)
Challenges Facing Uber’s Autonomous Program
Since its 2015 launch, Uber’s self-driving initiative has navigated multiple obstacles:
- Legal Battles: Ongoing lawsuit from Waymo alleging stolen technology
- Safety Concerns: DMV ban after a self-driving car ran a red light in San Francisco
- Talent Drain: Continuous executive departures from the AV team
- Operational Shifts: Forced relocation of testing from California to Arizona
The Broader Self-Driving Landscape
While Uber struggles with internal challenges, compe*****s like Apple, Baidu, GM, and Tesla continue advancing their autonomous technologies. Notably, Ford invested $1 billion in Argo AI—co-founded by former Uber engineer Peter Rander—though Marakby’s next move remains unclear.
Marakby’s Legacy and Future
In his departure statement, Marakby reflected: “Self-driving technology is among the most interesting challenges I’ve tackled. I’m grateful to have contributed to what will soon be a safer future for everyone.”
This exit comes amid broader organizational turbulence for Uber, including ongoing investigations into workplace culture and the company’s first diversity report release. As the race for autonomous dominance intensifies, Uber must stabilize its leadership team to maintain competitiveness in this critical technological frontier.
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