New Alliance Aims to Deploy 20,000 Robotaxis
Uber has announced a major expansion into autonomous mobility by partnering with electric vehicle maker Lucid and self-driving tech firm Nuro to launch a next-generation premium global robotaxi program. The collaboration centers on outfitting Lucid’s Gravity SUV with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, all deployed exclusively through Uber’s platform.
The initiative targets the deployment of more than 20,000 Lucid electric vehicles equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software over the next six years. These vehicles will be operated either directly by Uber or by third-party fleet partners. Initial operations are expected to begin in a major U.S. city next year.
Strategic Investments and Early Testing Underway
To accelerate development, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid and a similar multi-hundred-million-dollar amount in Nuro. A prototype of the Lucid Gravity robotaxi running Nuro’s autonomous system is already being tested at Nuro’s proving grounds in Las Vegas. Lucid’s stock surged nearly 40% following the announcement.
Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff stated that the deal validates Lucid’s EV platform as an ideal foundation for autonomous vehicle development. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called the project a key step in bringing safe, scalable autonomous driving to global markets via Uber’s network.
Competitive Landscape and Saudi Influence
This partnership arrives as the robotaxi race intensifies. Waymo, a division of Alphabet, remains the only active operator of commercial robotaxi services in the U.S. and already collaborates with Uber in Austin and Atlanta. Tesla, meanwhile, has expanded robotaxi testing in Austin, with plans to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, though state regulatory filings have not been confirmed.
Uber’s latest move marks a return to the autonomous space after shutting down its original robotaxi division following a fatal crash in Arizona in 2018. For Lucid, the Uber deal represents a key opportunity to meet its aggressive 2025 delivery target of 20,000 Air sedans and Gravity SUVs.
Notably, both Uber and Lucid are top holdings of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. As of the last filing, the PIF held $5.31 billion in Uber and $4.29 billion in Lucid, with a majority stake in the EV maker. The shared backing may have helped facilitate this strategic alignment.
New Chapter in Urban Mobility
The Uber-Lucid-Nuro alliance signals a new chapter in premium autonomous ride services, combining cutting-edge electric vehicle platforms with proven AI navigation and global ride-hailing infrastructure. With billions in backing and regulatory hurdles still ahead, the success of this robotaxi program could reshape how urban transportation evolves in the coming decade.
