Uber partners with Lucid Motors and Nuro to launch an autonomous EV ride-hailing service, entering a competitive turf long dominated by Waymo.
Uber Takes Aim at the Heart of the Robotaxi Race
San Francisco, the epicenter of autonomous vehicle development, will soon host a high-stakes showdown. Uber has chosen the city as the launch site for its premium robotaxi service, set to begin in 2026. This bold move directly challenges Waymo, the current leader in the region’s commercial robotaxi market.
Uber’s new service will feature Lucid Motors’ all-electric Gravity SUVs, fitted with Nuro’s self-driving technology—creating a triad of EV innovation, autonomous driving, and ride-hailing expertise.
The Power Trio: Uber, Lucid, and Nuro
This initiative isn’t just a product launch—it’s a strategic convergence. Uber announced earlier in 2025 that it would:
- Invest $300 million in Lucid
- Purchase at least 20,000 Gravity SUVs over six years
- Equip these vehicles with Nuro’s AV system
These robotaxis will be owned or operated by Uber or its third-party fleet partners, marking Uber’s evolution from an app-based mobility platform to an integrated autonomous vehicle operator.
Why San Francisco? And Why Now?
According to Sachin Kansal, Uber’s Chief Product Officer, San Francisco’s deep tech roots make it the ideal debut location.
“The Bay Area has long been the birthplace of transformative technology… we’re laying the groundwork for safe and scalable autonomous rides in the Bay Area and beyond,” he said.
But it’s also a bold strategic risk. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, already operates extensively in San Francisco, where its fleet of autonomous Jaguars is a familiar sight. Uber’s entry could reignite tensions between the two, despite recent collaborations in Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.
Test Fleets Already Rolling Out
The companies are already building and testing the new fleet:
- Lucid has delivered Gravity SUVs to Nuro
- Nuro is integrating autonomous tech
- A test fleet of about 100 vehicles is being developed
- Testing will span closed courses, simulations, and public roads
These vehicles represent the next generation of autonomous mobility: luxury electric SUVs, optimized for comfort, design, and self-driving performance.
A History of Partnerships—and Rivalries
Uber’s foray into AVs is far from new. Over the past two years, the company has forged 18+ partnerships globally across ride-hailing, delivery, and logistics. Recent partners include:
- May Mobility
- Volkswagen
- Chinese AV firms WeRide, Momenta, and Baidu
Notably, Uber once fought Waymo in a high-profile trade secrets lawsuit in 2018. While the companies have since reconciled—and even launched joint robotaxi pilots—their renewed competition in San Francisco marks a delicate truce turned rivalry once again.
Positioning for the Future: Premium Autonomy
Unlike many AV projects targeting utility or affordability, Uber’s move into premium robotaxis signals a shift in strategy. With Lucid’s sleek EV design and Nuro’s precision AV systems, Uber appears focused on high-margin urban consumers rather than mass-market scale—at least initially.
This could also allow Uber to differentiate on user experience, offering upscale interiors, seamless digital integration, and perhaps loyalty rewards through the broader Uber ecosystem.
A New Era of Competition Begins
Uber’s robotaxi launch in San Francisco isn’t just a new product—it’s a challenge to Waymo’s dominance and a signal that the AV industry’s next wave is arriving. Backed by EV luxury, cutting-edge autonomy, and deep ride-hailing experience, Uber is positioning itself to be more than just a participant in the autonomous future—it wants to lead it.
