Uber Launches Robotaxi Service with Lucid Motors and Nuro

Uber has announced plans to launch its own self-driving taxi service, featuring a new robotaxi developed in collaboration with luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors and autonomous driving firm Nuro. The unveiling took place at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. The robotaxi, based on Lucid’s Gravity three-row electric SUV, is designed to provide a fully autonomous ride-hailing experience.

The collaboration marks a significant step for Uber as it seeks to integrate advanced self-driving technology into its services. Nuro, a California-based company founded by New Zealander Dave Ferguson, has supplied the cameras, sensors, and self-driving technology that underpin the new vehicles. Uber’s robotaxis are expected to be available through the Uber app in the United States by the end of 2023, although no timeline has been provided for their introduction in other markets such as New Zealand.

Uber’s ambitions for a driverless taxi service are part of a broader strategy to transition to a zero-emissions platform by 2040. The company invested $518 million (USD) in Lucid last year, while Nuro secured $346 million (USD)Market Launch and Features

The initial market for the Nuro-driven Lucid Gravity robotaxis will be the San Francisco Bay Area, where on-road testing began in December 2022. Uber plans to deploy over 20,000 of these vehicles over the next six years, which it describes as the industry’s “most luxurious robotaxi.” Riders will enjoy customizable features, including playlist selection and cabin temperature adjustments, similar to those offered by Alphabet’s Waymo robotaxis operating in cities such as Phoenix and Los Angeles.