Uber Technologies has announced a landmark strategic partnership with electric vehicle maker Lucid and self-driving technology company Nuro to launch a premium robotaxi service in the U.S., set to debut in 2026. Under the agreement, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid, becoming its second-largest shareholder behind Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The ride-hailing giant has committed to purchasing at least 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving system over six years, with the first vehicles slated to roll out in late 2026. Additionally, Uber is making a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar investment in Nuro and will take a board seat as part of the collaboration.
A prototype vehicle is already undergoing testing at Nuro’s Las Vegas proving grounds, while final production and integration of the autonomous system will occur at Lucid’s Arizona facility. Uber and its third-party fleet partners will own and operate the vehicles exclusively through the Uber app.
This move signals Uber’s ambition to scale beyond experimental AV integrations—such as its existing “Waymo on Uber” services in Austin and Atlanta—by building its own autonomous network rather than licensing out ride-hailing slots. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi described the partnership as transforming urban mobility “for the better,” leveraging the strengths of both Lucid and Nuro.
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Financial markets responded strongly: Lucid’s stock surged over 36%, reaching a five-month high upon the announcement, while Uber shares also climbed amidst investor optimism. Analysts highlight that the deal provides Lucid with vital funding to scale the Gravity SUV and integrate autonomous tech—at a time when EV startups face financial headwinds. Nuro, having pivoted from low-speed delivery bots to passenger AV systems, sees the agreement as “meaty” evidence of its self-driving ambitions.
The robotaxi service is scheduled to launch in 2026 in a major U.S. city yet to be disclosed, with plans to deploy more than 20,000 Lucid Gravity robotaxis across domestic and international markets over the next six years. Uber’s strategy continues a broader trend of reinvesting in autonomous mobility following its 2020 decision to spin off its internal AV unit, focusing instead on strategic partnerships.
