Uber and Nuro begin testing self-driving robotaxis in San Francisco with Lucid SUVs for select employees.
San Francisco: Uber and Nuro are testing robotaxis in San Francisco. Select Uber employees can now request rides in a special Lucid Gravity SUV through the Uber app.
These SUVs have sensors and cameras to help them drive alone. A safety driver sits in the car in case help is needed. The companies plan to let the public use these robotaxis later this year.
Uber invested $300 million in Lucid and will buy at least 20,000 of their electric SUVs over six years. These SUVs use Nuro’s self-driving system powered by computers from Nvidia. The sensors include cameras and special laser sensors called lidar that help the car see its surroundings.
Nuro also received a large investment from Uber. The companies will own and run this premium robotaxi service, likely with help from other companies. Production of these modified SUVs is expected to start in late 2026.
Nuro has already tested 100 of these SUVs with self-driving systems. The employee test rides help check how well the car drives itself and gives rides safely.