Uber is expanding robotaxi empire for the second time in weeks. The ridesharing giant has started Taxi trials for workers in the San Francisco Bay Area using Lucid Gravity SUVs enhanced with Nuro’s autonomous vehicle technology.
The test still has a safety driver on hand, but Uber will allow employees to hail self-driving cars through its app. They will help validate the vehicles and general ride in real-world settings. According to Nuro, this will help Uber and partners “improve the service” as it nears commercial launch.
History of partnership
Public attractions are expected this year
Uber first announced its partnerships with Nuro and Lucid in July 2025, when it announced plans to roll out 20,000 Gravity ride-hailing vehicles starting in 2026. The companies unveiled a “production intent” version of the modified Gravity this January, including a roof-based sensor array, cameras and radar, including LiDAR. In-cabin screens help passengers personalize their journey and see the intended path of the robotaxis.
Public rides are expected in late 2026, with the service coming to “dozens” of markets around the world over the next six years.
You can currently hail a robotacha via Uber
Waymo and other providers already exist
Uber, Nuro and Lucid don’t have to wait to make autonomous rides available. You can do it Ask them to drive Waymo Via the Uber app in Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix. Avride operates in Dallas, and travelers in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East can ride WeRide cars.
Uber and VW’s mobility division MOIA recently announced that they will offer a robotaxi service in Los Angeles by the end of 2026. In the long term, it cooperates with brands like Uber. Amazon’s ZooxMotional, NVIDIA and Rivian.
What could happen in the future?
However, alliances with Nuro and Lucid should play a key role in Uber’s strategy. Since Uber sold its in-house robotaxi division to Aurora Innovation in 2020, it has focused on partnerships that will help it become synonymous with self-driving rides. A fleet of 20,000 vehicles would represent a significant expansion at a time when Uber’s current reach is still limited.
There is also Rivian It announced a new partnership with UberThis will see the latter invest $1.25 billion in the development of self-driving cars by 2031.
While that has led to some competition from partners like Waymo, it’s mostly aimed at fending off direct competition from Lyft or other ridesharing heavyweights that are building their own teams or developing their own technology. For example, Tesla offers a limited robot taxi service in the Austin area using its platform.
