Driverless Vehicles Are Coming and These Stocks Should Soar

Driverless vehicle growth in terms of technology and scale is accelerating rapidly in the U.S. and around the world, and businesses leading this charge are poised to expand just as rapidly. The evolution of driverless vehicles marks a massive transformation in the transportation industry and could present investors a once-in-a-generation opportunity to profit. But choosing the right business is a challenge. Here are three stocks well positioned to thrive with the rise of autonomous vehicles.

Commercial trucking angle

Autonomous trucking is arguably one of the most intriguing angles in the driverless arena, and Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ: AUR) is a pioneer. Being a carrier in the industry is a game of margins. With autonomous trucks able to work around the clock, it's a key driver of business growth. For long-term investors, there's reason to be excited about the company's recent steps forward.

Aurora Innovation first deployed driverless trucks in April of last year. It then released its first software update that validated driverless operations between Dallas and Houston, a second update that validated operations at night, and a third that validated El Paso. Now with the fourth software update, Aurora expects to give Aurora Driver the capabilities to autonomously navigate the southern United States.

Now that Aurora has validated operations on the roughly 1,000-mile lane between Forth Worth and Phoenix, the company is positioned to be the first autonomously hauled freight mover on a route that extends beyond "hours of service" (HOS) limitations. Phoenix tripled Aurora's driverless network to move freight.

Aurora has tallied over 250,000 driverless miles as of January 2026, with a perfect safety record and zero Aurora Driver-attributed collisions, and is positioned to begin scaling its business. Full-year revenue is expected to jump 400% to the midpoint of its forecasted $14 million to $16 million. By year end, Aurora anticipates a fleet with more than 200 driverless trucks in operation, translating to a run-rate of roughly $80 million in revenue. The company's second-generation commercial kit will drive a 50% reduction in Aurora Driver hardware costs and set the stage for breakeven gross margin on a run-rate basis exiting 2026.

Aurora is a high-risk and speculative stock, but driverless vehicles are coming, and the trucking angle makes a lot of sense for investors.

A capital-light approach

Investors looking to jump on board driverless vehicle momentum without owning a high-risk stock or owning a business developing the technology from the ground up should look closely at Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER). Uber could be an excellent option as the company already has a strong business with its dominant market share in rideshare and delivery. It boasts strong growth metrics that are increasing, as you can see in the graph below, and possesses long-term earnings potential by utilizing driverless vehicles.

UBER Operating Margin (TTM) data by YCharts.

Uber is unique for investors because rather than risk capital developing driverless vehicle technology that could be inferior, more expensive, and/or less efficient, the company is leveraging its massive user base, logistical data, and current infrastructure to partner with autonomous vehicle tech companies, such as the previously mentioned Aurora, as well as Alphabet's Waymo, even start-up electric vehicle (EV) makers such as Rivian and Lucid. In fact, Uber boasts a long list with over 20 active driverless technology partnerships.

Uber already has a core lucrative business with competitive advantages and has an opportunity not only to make that business more profitable through the utilization of driverless vehicles but is pushing the development risk onto other companies. For risk-averse investors, Uber is a top driverless stock option.

Out of the box angle

If you're looking for a potential homerun stock, it might be a unique company such as QuantumScape (NASDAQ: QS). Driverless vehicles are expected to increasingly be EVs for a number of reasons. Driverless vehicles will need to operate for extended hours, which makes the lower cost-per-mile of electric vehicles (EVs) economically advantageous. Electric powertrains are more responsive, quieter, and better equipped to handle autonomous sensors and computers that require high-capacity and power. As the worlds of EVs and driverless vehicles collide, QuantumScape is developing solid-state battery technology that could drastically improve EV battery density, safety, and performance, while simultaneously lowering costs -- a massive win for all involved.

For investors, QuantumScape is more of a high-risk stock, but it has taken critical steps recently that are shifting the company from laboratory development toward commercialization. QuantumScape implemented its proprietary Cobra process, which accelerated manufacturing by roughly 25 times compared to earlier methods, and also inaugurated its new automated pilot line (Eagle Line) to scale production and deliver prototype cells.

A long list of companies are in the race to develop solid-state batteries at a commercial production rate, and QuantumScape could lose that race. But the company has well-tested technology, increasing scale and accelerating production, a valuable top global automaker partner with Volkswagen Group's PowerCo, and a clear vision to become a crucial partner in improving profitability in both EVs and driverless vehicles.

Unique and lucrative options

While Aurora, Uber, and QuantumScape offer completely different angles and long-term visions, all three companies are well positioned to thrive as driverless vehicles increasingly take over the roads and drive bottom-line earnings growth in the decades ahead.

Daniel Miller has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.