Squishmallows, Dentures, and ‘I Heart Hot Dads’ Bags: Uber Finds Thousands of Forgotten Items in Robotaxis

For a decade, Uber’s annual Lost & Found Index has offered an entertaining look into the lives of its riders, alongside intriguing insights about our society. This yearly gathering of millions of forgotten belongings features everything from common items like smartphones and laptops to more unexpected discoveries such as live fish, an ankle monitor, a toboggan, a package of live butterflies, and a lone Louboutin shoe.

This year, Uber is using the report to tackle the common issue of lost items from a novel angle: robotaxis. The company reports that thousands of belongings (still short of millions) were left behind in robotaxis over the past year. In addition to the usual phones, keys, wallets, passports, and headphones, there were some unusual finds like a set of dentures, an “I Heart Hot Dads” bag, and a blue hat that says “Emotional Support Human.”

Beneath this amusing list lies a modest business opportunity. Even in a future dominated by robot taxis, someone must return the items left by passengers.

Uber has dedicated several years to building partnerships with autonomous vehicle (AV) technology companies. However, it wasn’t until March 2025 that the commercial side of its AV initiative began with the launch of the “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi service in Austin. Shortly after, Uber and Waymo rolled out a robotaxi service in Atlanta as well. Moreover, Uber has incorporated other AV companies into its app in the past year, such as Motional in Las Vegas and Avride in Dallas, although these still require human safety operators behind the wheel.

The fact that Uber has reported thousands of lost items in just one year indicates a considerable number of robotaxi rides facilitated through its app. The essential takeaway is that Uber’s current infrastructure is already set up to reunite riders with their lost belongings, including a 15-pound yo-yo, a large black marble duck, a Squishmallow, and a Charli XCX poster.

When an Uber rider leaves belongings in a robotaxi, retrieving them follows the same procedure as any other ride: open the app, click on the activity tab, choose the trip during which the item was misplaced, and contact customer support. Riders can message, chat, or call a support agent. If the item is recovered, they have two options: pay $15 for an Uber Courier driver to deliver it locally the same day or pick it up in person at an AV depot where the vehicles are maintained.

Uber Courier, a rebranding of Uber Connect, launched in 2020 to streamline the sending of packages and personal items between local addresses. However, Uber claims its robotaxi support system extends beyond simply adapting existing services.

“With tens of millions of lost items reported on Uber annually, we’ve spent the last decade developing systems that allow riders to easily and swiftly reclaim their belongings,” stated Amy Satrom, global head of autonomous support at Uber. “As autonomous rides expand on Uber, we are applying that same expertise to AVs—integrating our fleet operations, support teams, and hybrid network to streamline the retrieval process, even without a driver.”

In February, Uber announced the inception of Uber Autonomous Solutions, a new division that reflects its broader aspirations regarding driverless technology. This division offers a variety of services aimed at addressing all aspects involved in operating a robotaxi, self-driving truck, or sidewalk delivery robot business, including software and support solutions.

Clearly, Uber is positioning AVs as a significant revenue generator. The company plans to roll out robotaxi services through its app in up to 15 cities globally by the end of the year and has set its sights on becoming the largest facilitator of AV trips worldwide by 2029.