Uber goals to deploy 20,000 or extra Lucid autos geared up with the Nuro Driver over six years in dozens of markets around the globe. | Supply: Nuro
Lucid Group, Nuro, and Uber this week partnered on a world robotaxi program that can accessible completely on the Uber app. The businesses stated they plan to launch their first robotaxi service later subsequent 12 months in a significant U.S. metropolis.
“Autonomous autos have huge potential to rework our cities for the higher,” stated Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “We’re thrilled to accomplice with Nuro and Lucid on this new robotaxi program, purpose-built only for the Uber platform, to securely convey the magic of autonomous driving to extra folks the world over.”
Uber goals to deploy 20,000 of Lucid’s new electrical Gravity SUV geared up with the Nuro Driver over six years. The autos will likely be owned and operated by Uber or its third-party fleet companions. The primary robotaxi prototype is already working autonomously on a closed circuit at Nuro’s Las Vegas proving grounds.
Uber plans to speculate a number of hundred million {dollars} into each Nuro and Lucid as a part of the settlement.
Uber continues to play within the robotaxi area by partnering with third-party builders. It at the moment has 18 autonomous automobile companions. It as soon as had its personal autonomous automobile division, however that effort ended after a high-profile deadly accident in 2018. Uber ultimately offered the unit to Aurora in 2018. Uber’s present technique permits it to remain lively within the area, scale back technical threat, and probably capitalize on its large person base as autonomous driving know-how matures.
Nuro raised $106 million in its ongoing Collection E spherical in April 2025, which raised its valuation to $6 billion. The corporate gives two flagship merchandise to automotive producers, suppliers, and mobility corporations: the SAE Degree 4 Nuro Driver and Degree 2++ Nuro Driver Help. It stated every combines automotive-grade {hardware} with self-driving software program.
Robotaxi race heating up
This new partnership comes at an attention-grabbing time within the robotaxi race. Each Tesla and Waymo this week expanded their service areas in Austin, the place Waymo gives its companies by way of Uber. Waymo, the chief within the robotaxi trade, has elevated its service space in Austin from 37 sq. mi. (95.8 sq. km) to 90 sq. mi. (233 sq. km).
Waymo has robotaxis operating totally autonomously in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin at the moment. It just lately surpassed 100 million totally autonomous miles with out a human driver behind the wheel. Waymo was named the 2025 Robotic of the Yr by The Robotic Report.
Tesla launched its first robotaxi service in Austin in June. In Austin, the service is operating utilizing a small fleet of Tesla Mannequin Y autos. It’s only open to a choose group of buyers and influencers by way of invitation. To date, Tesla’s robotaxis are solely working with a security monitor within the passenger seat. Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced this week that the corporate could be increasing its Austin service space.
To date, Nuro hasn’t introduced any plans to deploy a robotaxi service in Austin. As an alternative, the corporate is specializing in constructing operations in Mountain View, Calif., and Houston. Nuro additionally just lately introduced plans to convey its take a look at fleet of autonomous autos to Japan.
