Nov 20 (Reuters) - Uber ( UBER ) will partner with

Starship Technologies to launch autonomous robot deliveries in

the UK in December, with plans to expand to additional European

markets next year and the U.S. in 2027, the ride-hailing firm

said on Thursday.

Initially, Uber Eats customers will be able to receive

Starship's robot deliveries in the Leeds and Sheffield areas,

Uber ( UBER ) said.

The tie-up is the latest in a long line of deals Uber ( UBER )

has struck with autonomous vehicle and technology companies as

the company doubles down on automating various aspects of its

business to boost growth.

Uber ( UBER ) already has partnerships with Avride and Serve Robotics ( SERV )

for robotic food delivery in the United States.

San Francisco-based Starship's robots will operate at Level

4 autonomy, which means it can operate without human

intervention within a specified area.