Uber Partners with Lucid and Nuro to Launch Robotaxis in 2026, Aims for 20,000 Units in Six Years

Uber has partnered with Lucid Group and Nuro to launch a fleet of robotaxis by 2026, with plans to deploy at least 20,000 vehicles in six years. The company will purchase and operate Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro Driver technology. Uber will also invest hundreds of millions of dollars in both companies. The partnership marks a shift in Uber's strategy, moving away from developing its own autonomous technology and towards partnering with specialized companies.

Uber Technologies Inc. has announced a significant partnership with electric vehicle maker Lucid Group Inc. and self-driving tech startup Nuro to launch a robotaxi fleet. The partnership involves purchasing and operating Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro Driver technology on Uber's ride-sharing network. The company aims to launch the first vehicle in late 2026 in an unidentified major U.S. city, with plans to deploy at least 20,000 of the robotaxis over six years [1].

Uber's investment in this partnership underscores a shift in its strategy away from developing autonomous technology in-house. Instead, the company is focusing on partnering with and investing in firms that specialize in autonomous vehicle technology. The partnership adds to more than a dozen similar agreements that Uber has announced with autonomous vehicle tech developers and carmakers [1].

The partnership includes a $300 million investment in Lucid, which will be used to upgrade its assembly line to integrate Nuro hardware into the Gravity vehicles [1]. The exact amount of investment in Nuro is not disclosed. This investment is part of Uber's broader strategy to monetize equity stakes in firms like Aurora Innovation Inc. to fund future investments in the driverless ecosystem [1].

The Lucid-Nuro deal highlights the growing competition in the nascent robotaxi market. Tesla Inc. recently rolled out its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, and has pledged to expand to other cities [1]. This competition underscores the need for partnerships and significant investments to stay competitive.

Lucid Group, one of the few pure-play EV makers in the U.S., sees this partnership as an opportunity to popularize its Gravity SUV. The company has been working to scale production and deliveries, estimating it will produce 20,000 vehicles in 2025 [1]. The partnership with Uber adds a notable customer for Lucid, which is also working on advanced driver systems and has partnered with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia [1].

The first Nuro Driver-equipped Lucid Gravity prototype is already completing fully autonomous operations on a closed circuit at Nuro's proving grounds in Las Vegas [2]. This indicates that the technology is mature enough for public deployment.

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, emphasized the potential of autonomous vehicles to transform cities for the better. The partnership with Lucid and Nuro aims to safely bring the magic of autonomous driving to more people across the world [2].

While the ambitious goal of deploying 20,000 robotaxis in six years is challenging, it is a testament to Uber's commitment to the autonomous vehicle market. The partnership with Lucid and Nuro leverages proven technologies and significant investment, which could help overcome past challenges in the robotaxi market [3].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/uber-partnering-with-lucid-nuro-to-launch-robotaxis-in-2026
[2] https://electrek.co/2025/07/17/uber-20000-lucid-gravity-robotaxis-nuro-driver-next-year-video/
[3] https://www.motortrend.com/news/lucid-nuro-uber-autonomous-robotaxi-service-partnership