https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/uber-lyft-are-betting-that-dr...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/19/ubers-sel...
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2018/01/24/ube...
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-uber-ipo-stock-price-...
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/28/ubers-self-driving-cars-are-...
https://www.wired.com/story/bet-uber-bet-self-driving/
I think the broadest interpretation is that autonomous driving was one of a few irons Uber has had in the fire to achieve profitability. The other irons include Uber Eats, Jump, and lately, grocery delivery. The miracle hasn't happened yet!