Nuro has received approval to begin self-driving tests of Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with autonomous technology on public roads in California – vehicles that will eventually be used in Uber’s premium robotaxi service. But the Silicon Valley-based startup, backed by Nvidia and Uber, says it’s not ready to launch yet.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles, the agency that regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the state, confirmed to TechCrunch on Tuesday that Nuro has changed its driverless AV permit to include Lucid Gravity vehicles.
Nuro has had a driver’s license for six years, but he’s only a low speed delivery vehicle — a program that was canceled when the startup shifted its business model to focus on licensing its technology to companies like Uber.
This latest driverless permit allows Nuro to test Lucid vehicles without a human safety operator behind the wheel. Nuro spokesman David Salguero told TechCrunch that the company expects to begin driverless testing later this year, without elaborating on the timing.
The driverless permit is one of the many regulatory hurdles Nuro must clear before Uber can launch its premium robotaxi service. Nuro will also need to obtain a driverless license from the California Public Utilities Commission and a deployment permit from the DMV.
For now, Nuro and Uber are testing Lucid cars in autonomous mode with a human safety operator in the driver’s seat. Last month, that test was expanded to allow Uber employees to request an autonomous ride in a Lucid robot taxi with a human safety operator still on board through the Uber app.
As Nuro made progress in testing, Uber increased its commitment to Lucid.
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When the three-way deal was announced in July 2025, Uber said it would invest $300 million in Lucid and buy 20,000 robotaxi-ready Gravity vehicles. That has since been expanded to $500 million and a minimum of 35,000 robots, with the deal modified to include at least 10,000 Gravity SUVs and 25,000 EVs built on Lucid’s upcoming midsize platform.
These electric vehicles will be powered by Nuro’s autonomous vehicle system powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor computer. Lucid Gravity was a robot was discovered in Januaryequipped with high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar sensors, and radars that help the self-driving system understand and operate within its real-world environment.
Uber has also made a multi-million dollar investment in Nuro.
Lucid has delivered 75 engineering vehicles to Nuro and Uber, and testing and mileage collection is underway in several US cities. first quarter earnings call on tuesday.
Lucid said on Tuesday that commercial robotics operations will begin in late 2026. It is possible that these robotaxis operations will not be driverless or otherwise restricted, depending on regulatory approval.
Still, Lucid executives struck a positive tone on the call, noting that all development and certifications are progressing as expected.
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