Uber is taking another step toward launching a premium robotaxi service, with early testing now underway in San Francisco using the all-electric Lucid Gravity SUV powered by Nuro’s self-driving technology.
According to an update from Nuro on Monday, the program has entered an internal testing phase, with select Uber employees now able to hail these vehicles directly through the app, with rides taking place on public roads. The SUVs are operating in autonomous mode, but each still has a human safety operator behind the wheel, ready to take over if needed.
The tests mark a key milestone in a partnership first announced in July 2025, when Uber committed significant capital to both Lucid and Nuro. Uber invested $300 million into Lucid and separately made a “multi-hundred-million dollar” investment into Nuro, while also agreeing to purchase “at least” 20,000 Gravity SUVs over the next six years.
Today, Uber announced a further $200 million investment in Lucid, bringing its total investment in the luxury automaker to $500 million.
Powering the Lucid Gravity robotaxi is Nuro’s autonomous driving system, utilizing Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor compute platform. The Gravity SUVs used in testing are heavily outfitted with sensors, including high-resolution cameras, radar, and solid-state lidar, allowing the system to interpret complex urban environments and navigate city streets.
Nuro has already deployed around 100 of these modified vehicles across multiple U.S. markets as part of its engineering fleet, gathering real-world data and refining its software. The current phase, however, shifts focus from pure driving performance to the full rider experience—how the app, vehicle, and autonomy stack work together in a live ride-hailing environment.
One of the biggest challenges being evaluated is something human drivers handle instinctively: picking up and dropping off passengers. For autonomous systems, safely navigating curbs, locating riders, and positioning the vehicle correctly in busy urban settings remains a complex task.
Uber’s long-term plan is to own and operate this premium robotaxi service, potentially with the help of a third-party fleet operator. The Lucid-Nuro program is just one piece of that puzzle. Uber has also backed other autonomous initiatives globally, including investments in European robotaxi services, as it builds out a platform that could eventually integrate multiple self-driving providers.
A public launch of the San Francisco service is expected later in 2026, though no firm timeline has been announced.
The latest development also comes as Uber deepens its relationship with Lucid even further. As reported earlier today, Uber is increasing its commitment to Lucid with plans to incorporate tens of thousands of vehicles into its future global robotaxi network, alongside a fresh investment that strengthens the EV maker’s financial position.
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