Uber and Lucid’s Big Bet on Driverless Robotaxis Will Hit the Road in 2026

Uber has partnered with electric vehicle maker Lucid and autonomous tech company Nuro to deploy 20,000 self-driving taxis over the next 6 years. This will bring a high-end, driverless ride to cities worldwide, starting in a major US city in 2026.

Lucid’s Gravity SUV, a spacious electric vehicle with a 450 mile range, is the backbone of this robotaxi fleet. With redundant electrical systems and advanced controls, it’s built to run 24/7. Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous system, the Nuro Driver, powers these vehicles, so they can drive city streets without a human driver. Uber will integrate this tech into its global network, which does 34 million trips a day across 70 countries. “We’re excited to partner with Nuro and Lucid to safely bring autonomous driving to more people,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

Sale

Electric Scooter, 350W/500W Motor, 8.5”/10”Tires, Top Speed 16/19/22 mph, Max 12/21/23Miles Ranges,…

• ⭐Powerful Performance: Equipped with powerful 350W motor, this electric scooter delivers a max speed of 19mph, ensuring an efficient ride for your…
• ⭐Long Range: Enjoy a max range of up to 12 miles on a single charge, making this electric scooter a perfect choice for those short trips to school,…
• ⭐Sleek and Lightweight Design: The electric scooter features a minimalist and stylish design that is easily foldable, enhancing portability for…

Lucid’s vehicles, designed with hardware redundancies, are perfect for autonomy, while Nuro’s software adapts quickly to new environments. A prototype is already driving Nuro’s Las Vegas test track, proving its self-driving chops on a closed course. Marc Winterhoff, Lucid’s interim CEO, calls it a game-changer: “This investment from Uber validates our platform as the ideal for autonomous vehicles.”

Uber’s not new to autonomy, but this is different. After selling its self-driving unit in 2020, Uber has been partnering with companies like Waymo in Atlanta and Austin. Now with Lucid and Nuro, it’s all in on a premium service, likely priced like its high-end Uber Black rides. Choosing Lucid’s Gravity, starting at $79,900, means luxury and comfort, unlike some competitors who are going for stripped down. Nuro’s tech has been tested in low-speed delivery bots, so it has a good track record, but scaling to busy city streets is a big ask.

This is big. 20,000 vehicles is bigger than Waymo’s 2,000 and Tesla’s small Austin trial. But there are challenges. Nuro needs state licenses to operate fully and some analysts question if Lucid and Nuro can scale fast enough to meet Uber’s timeline. Wedbush analysts noted that Waymo and Tesla have more mature tech and production. But Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson is bullish: “This is the biggest partnership Uber has announced.”
[Source]