Prime Highlights
- Uber to launch 20,000 self-driving robotaxis in 2026 in a $300 million bet on Lucid.
- Vehicles to be fueled with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous tech, accessed only through Uber app.
Key Facts
- Fleet to be owned by Uber, while vehicles will be manufactured by Lucid and driven by Nuro’s AV tech.
- Service to debut in late 2026, to start in a major U.S. city.
Key Background
In a bold attempt to redefine what the future of autonomous transportation will look like, Lucid has received a $300 million investment in stake from Uber as part of a huge robotaxi agreement. The offers involve producing and deploying over 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs, in addition to Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving solution. These vehicles will be owned and operated by Uber or Uber fleet providers and listed on the Uber platform only. Rollout would begin in the later half of 2026, beginning with distribution in large U.S. cities.
The deal is a major strategic gamble for Uber, which had abandoned its internal autonomous program in 2020. By working with industry players like Lucid and Nuro, Uber is once again in the autonomous vehicle business with a capital-light, partnership-led model. Uber is not just investing in cars but is also getting a seat on the board of Nuro, indicating deep integration and long-term wagers in the autonomous mobility space. Lucid will manufacture the vehicles at its Arizona factory and add Nuro’s software and sensors in last-mile production.
Uber’s robotaxi service will be optimized to trade off peak performance for operating cost. Lucid Gravity’s extended range range and spacious interior make it ideal for all-day, shared usage. Production is already underway at closed-course test facilities, with the initial commercial pilot landing in 2026. Uber’s scale and logistics capabilities are considered key to widespread autonomous ride-hailing adoption.
Though the move saw a 30%–40% stock surge in Lucid, investors remain cautious about Uber’s huge capital exposure in an industry that is gradually recovering from regulatory and technology setbacks. The investment is Uber’s push to own the future of city mobility with autonomous electric vehicles, though.
