17 July 2025

In a major development for the future of autonomous mobility, Lucid Group, Nuro, and Uber Technologies have announced a strategic partnership to launch a next-generation, premium global robotaxi program exclusively on the Uber platform. The initiative brings together Lucid’s advanced EV technology, Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, and Uber’s global ride-hailing infrastructure — signaling a bold step toward scaling luxury, driverless transport.

The companies promise that the upcoming robotaxi fleet will deliver not only convenience and safety but also sustainability and sophistication. It’s a move that could redefine what it means to hail a ride in the age of autonomy.

A Three-Way Partnership to Disrupt the Robotaxi Market

The newly announced robotaxi will be a Lucid vehicle powered by Nuro’s Level 4 Nuro Driver™ autonomous system, and will be offered exclusively via Uber’s ride-hailing platform. Each company brings critical strengths:

• Lucid Group, known for its ultra-premium electric vehicles like the Lucid Air, contributes deep EV engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Nuro, a robotics pioneer, supplies its Nuro Driver™ platform — an autonomous driving stack already known for operational safety in urban environments.
• Uber, the world’s most widely used ride-hailing network, will provide the customer-facing platform and logistics backbone to scale globally.

Uber’s Long-Term Interest in Robotaxis

Uber has been inching toward a robotaxi future for over a decade. It launched its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) in 2015 to build self-driving cars in-house, but in 2020 sold ATG to Aurora Innovation, shifting to a partnership-driven model for autonomy.

Since then, Uber has collaborated with multiple AV companies, including:

• Waymo: Announced in 2023 to integrate Waymo’s driverless cars into the Uber app in Phoenix.
• Motional: A Hyundai-Aptiv joint venture now piloting autonomous rides in Las Vegas.
• Serve Robotics: For autonomous sidewalk delivery.

Now, with the Lucid-Nuro collaboration, Uber is signaling its intent to offer not just autonomy — but premium autonomous mobility.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi previously noted that robotaxis represent "a natural evolution" of Uber’s model. "You’ll be able to push a button and get a car that drives itself, reliably and safely," he said, emphasizing affordability and scale. This new partnership adds luxury to the mix.

The Lucid Gravity: A Flagship Robotaxi Platform?

The vehicle model that will serve as the robotaxi platform is the Lucid Gravity, an all-electric SUV.

Specifically, the robotaxi will leverage Lucid Gravity's advanced technology platform, redundant electrical and controls architectures, and long range, which together make it an ideal fit for use in a scalable robotaxi offering.

The Gravity is  the first luxury SUV deployed at scale as an autonomous ride-hailing vehicle — a marked contrast from the utilitarian vehicles currently used in most AV pilots.

Inside the Nuro Driver™: Level 4 Autonomy Built for the Real World

The heart of the new robotaxi offering is the Nuro Driver™, a Level 4 autonomous driving system that enables vehicles to operate without human intervention in defined operational domains.

Nuro — originally known for its compact sidewalk delivery bots — has expanded aggressively into full-sized autonomous vehicles. Its technology stack includes:

• Redundant sensor suites (LiDAR, radar, cameras) for 360° perception
• Predictive modeling to anticipate pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle behavior
• Redundant compute and braking systems for safety
• Remote operation and fleet oversight tools

Crucially, the Nuro Driver™ is already deployed in commercial pilots with retail and logistics giants like Kroger and Domino’s, handling last-mile deliveries in real-world traffic. Its proven reliability is one reason why Uber and Lucid are entrusting it with human passengers at scale.

As part of the new robotaxi program, Nuro will adapt its technology to accommodate the complexities of ride-hailing — including passenger pick-up and drop-off, routing through high-density urban environments, and responding to human instructions.

Why This Matters: Autonomy Meets Premium Experience

The robotaxi industry has long promised lower transport costs, fewer emissions, and fewer traffic accidents. But few have managed to deliver that vision at scale, and fewer still have considered the passenger experience in the process.

That’s what makes this partnership significant. With Lucid’s emphasis on luxury, Nuro’s robust AV platform, and Uber’s demand-generation engine, the trio is aiming not just to deploy robotaxis — but to elevate them.

Imagine a world where your Uber arrives silently, drives itself, and offers the cabin quality of a luxury EV with climate, entertainment, and seating personalized to your preferences. That’s the vision Uber and its partners are now chasing.

Challenges Ahead: Safety, Regulation, and Scale

Of course, realizing that vision isn’t easy. Regulatory approval for Level 4 autonomy remains fragmented across jurisdictions. Cities like San Francisco and Phoenix have opened up to commercial AVs, but others remain hesitant.

Then there’s public trust. Despite billions in R&D, autonomous vehicle safety remains under scrutiny. Even well-funded players like Cruise (GM) have faced setbacks over pedestrian incidents and operational bans.

To succeed, the Lucid–Nuro–Uber alliance must prove:

• Safety parity (or superiority) over human drivers
• Scalability across complex, dense cities
• A cost structure that competes with human-driven rides
• A seamless user experience that builds rider confidence

But if they do, the payoff could be huge. Robotaxis could reshape not just how we move, but how cities are designed — with fewer parked cars, quieter streets, and more equitable access to transport.

What’s Next?

The companies have announced that they expect the new robotaxi service to launch later next year in a major US city. 

Uber aims to deploy 20,000 or more Lucid vehicles equipped with the Nuro Driver over six years. The vehicles will be owned and operated by Uber or its third-party fleet partners and made available to riders exclusively via the Uber platform. The first Lucid-Nuro robotaxi prototype is already operating autonomously on a closed circuit at Nuro's Las Vegas proving grounds.

As part of a deepening relationship with each partner, Uber plans to make multi-hundred-million dollar investments in both Nuro and Lucid. 

This three-way partnership marks one of the most ambitious AV ventures announced in recent years — and it may very well determine whether robotaxis are finally ready to scale not just functionally, but luxuriously.