Uber Unveils New Robotaxi in Collaboration with Lucid and Nuro

On January 5, 2026, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Uber, in partnership with Lucid Motors and Nuro, unveiled a production-intent robotaxi based on Lucid's Gravity SUV. This initiative marks a significant step toward commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles, with plans to launch the service in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year, pending regulatory approval.

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The Lucid Gravity robotaxi is designed to accommodate up to six passengers and features a bespoke in-cabin experience, including interactive screens that allow riders to control climate settings, music, and contact support. The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite, including high-resolution cameras, lidar, and radar, some of which are integrated into a roof-mounted structure referred to as the "halo." This setup provides a 360-degree field of view, enhancing the vehicle's autonomous capabilities.

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Road testing for the robotaxi began in December 2025, utilizing engineering prototypes supervised by safety operators. Production is set to commence at Lucid's factory in Arizona later this year, with the first units expected to roll out before the public launch in the Bay Area. Uber has committed $300 million to this project, emphasizing its strategy to partner with technology developers rather than owning autonomous technology outright.

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The unveiling positions Uber, Lucid, and Nuro among a growing list of companies, including Waymo and Tesla, that are advancing autonomous vehicle technology. Waymo currently operates a fleet of over 800 robotaxis in San Francisco, while Amazon's Zoox has initiated a driverless ride service in parts of the city. The competitive landscape is intensifying as various companies strive to establish their presence in the autonomous ride-hailing market.

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Uber's global head of autonomous mobility, Sarfraz Maredi, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, "Together with Lucid and Nuro, we’re bringing a state-of-the-art robotaxi to market later this year." Nuro's Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Dave Ferguson, highlighted the collaboration's significance, noting, "By bringing together Nuro’s proven level 4 autonomy, Lucid’s advanced vehicle architecture, and Uber’s global reach, we’re building a robotaxi service designed for real-world operations and long-term growth."

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Despite the excitement surrounding the robotaxi launch, some critics point to Uber's previous challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector, including its decision to sell its self-driving unit to Aurora Innovation in 2020. This history raises questions about the company's ability to successfully navigate the complexities of autonomous technology deployment.

The Straits Times

As the robotaxi project progresses, Uber, Lucid, and Nuro will focus on finalizing production and ensuring the vehicles meet safety validation benchmarks. The companies aim to expand the robotaxi service to other markets where Uber operates, contingent on successful testing and regulatory approvals.

The Straits Times

• “Uber is proud to partner with Lucid and Nuro to bring a state-of-the-art robotaxi to market later this year,” — Sarfraz Maredi, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility

The Straits Times

• “The debut of our production intent robotaxi with Lucid and Uber is a significant milestone on our path to delivering autonomy at scale,” — Dave Ferguson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Nuro

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