Uber Invests Millions in Lucid & Nuro for Robotaxi Service
▼ Summary
– Uber is investing $300 million in Lucid and plans to buy at least 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s autonomous system for a premium robotaxi service.
– Uber is also investing a multi-hundred-million-dollar amount into Nuro, exceeding its Lucid investment, to advance autonomous vehicle technology.
– Production of the modified Lucid Gravity SUVs with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous system is expected to begin in late 2026, with a robotaxi service launching next year.
– Nuro pivoted from low-speed delivery bots to licensing its AV tech, and the Uber deal validates its new strategy, extending its financial runway.
– Uber has secured partnerships with over 18 AV companies globally, including Waymo, to expand its presence in ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking.
Uber is making a bold move into autonomous vehicles with major investments in Lucid Motors and Nuro, signaling its ambition to dominate the robotaxi market. The ride-hailing giant is committing $300 million to Lucid and plans to purchase 20,000 of its Gravity SUVs over the next six years. These vehicles will be equipped with Nuro’s self-driving technology, forming the backbone of Uber’s upcoming premium robotaxi service, set to debut in a major U.S. city by next year.
The partnership represents a strategic push by Uber to secure its position in the rapidly evolving autonomous mobility sector. Production of the modified Lucid Gravity SUVs, integrated with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous system, is expected to begin in late 2026. Unlike lower-tier automation, Level 4 vehicles can operate without human intervention under specific conditions, making them ideal for commercial ride-hailing services.
Beyond its Lucid investment, Uber is also injecting hundreds of millions into Nuro, reportedly more than its Lucid commitment, underscoring the significance of this collaboration. Nuro, originally focused on low-speed delivery bots, shifted its strategy last year to prioritize licensing its autonomous technology to automakers and mobility providers. The Uber deal validates this pivot, offering Nuro a high-profile partner to showcase its capabilities.
Engineers from both Lucid and Nuro have already made progress, testing prototypes at Nuro’s Las Vegas facility. Lucid’s Gravity SUV was selected for its built-in hardware redundancies, which simplify integration with advanced autonomous systems. This aligns with Uber’s broader strategy of forging partnerships across the AV landscape, including deals with Waymo, May Mobility, and several Chinese firms like Baidu and WeRide.
Uber’s aggressive investments highlight its determination to lead in autonomous ride-hailing, a market poised for explosive growth. The company’s existing Waymo partnership in Austin and Atlanta demonstrates its willingness to collaborate while developing its own solutions. For Nuro, the deal marks a crucial turnaround after financial struggles and layoffs, proving its technology can attract top-tier industry players.
As the race for autonomous dominance heats up, Uber’s latest moves position it as a serious contender, leveraging cutting-edge partnerships to shape the future of transportation.
(Source: TechCrunch)
