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Lucid, Nuro and Uber Unveil Robotaxi Ahead of Planned 2026 Launch

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Lucid Group, Nuro and Uber on Monday unveiled a production-intent robotaxi at the Consumer Electronics Show, marking a major step toward commercial deployment later this year.

The trio said on-road testing began in December, led by Nuro using safety-supervised engineering prototypes. A commercial launch is planned for the San Francisco Bay Area, with production expected to start later this year at Lucid’s Arizona factory, pending final validation.

The robotaxi is based on Lucid’s Gravity electric SUV and features a roof-mounted sensor “halo” combining cameras, lidar and radar for 360-degree perception. The vehicle runs Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving system and uses Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor computing platform.

For Uber, the project reinforces its strategy of partnering with autonomous tech developers rather than owning self-driving systems. For Lucid, it represents a push to diversify beyond consumer EVs amid slowing demand and rising competition.

The unveiling places the partnership alongside other U.S. robotaxi efforts from Waymo and Tesla as the race to commercialize autonomous ride-hailing accelerates.

Uber and Momenta to Launch Level 4 Self-Driving Tests in Munich in 2026

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Uber and Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta announced Monday that they will begin testing Level 4 self-driving vehicles in Munich, Germany, starting next year. The move marks Uber’s latest push to expand its robotaxi business beyond the U.S. and China.

Level 4 autonomy refers to vehicles capable of fully automated driving within defined conditions, though regulators still require safety oversight. Germany has emerged as a key testbed for autonomous mobility, with favorable legal frameworks and major automakers advancing the technology.

Uber has sought to secure its place in the robotaxi race through partnerships with Waymo (Alphabet), Lucid, and WeRide, while rivals like Tesla are also scaling their autonomous taxi services.

For its part, Momenta brings significant real-world experience. Its driver-assistance technology is already deployed in 400,000 vehicles globally through automaker partnerships. The collaboration with Uber, first announced in May, aims to accelerate deployment in international markets outside the U.S. and China.

The launch in Munich underscores the intensifying global competition in autonomous mobility, even as regulators maintain tight scrutiny following high-profile accidents in the sector.

Uber Seeks Funding from Banks and Private Equity to Expand Robotaxi Business

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Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed that the company is in discussions with private equity firms and banks to secure financing for the expansion of its robotaxi operations. This move aligns with Uber’s strategy to scale up its autonomous vehicle business amid growing competition and interest in self-driving technology.

Uber currently offers robotaxi rides through a partnership with Alphabet-owned Waymo and is deepening ties with automakers such as Volkswagen and Lucid to increase its fleet of autonomous vehicles. The company’s robotaxi business model includes three approaches: charging fixed rates to vehicle-owning partners, revenue sharing with fleet operators, and owning vehicles while licensing the self-driving software.

Khosrowshahi emphasized that once Uber demonstrates the revenue potential per vehicle, attracting additional financing will be easier. Presently, the company plans to allocate a “modest” part of its roughly $7 billion annual cash flow towards robotaxi deployment and may also consider selling minority stakes to fund expansion.

Industry analysts note that scaling robotaxi services could significantly reduce Uber’s reliance on human drivers, lowering costs and boosting profitability. Uber’s robotaxi offerings are live in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. In April, Uber signed a deal with Volkswagen to deploy thousands of autonomous electric vans across the U.S. over the next decade. Additionally, a $300 million partnership with Lucid and Nuro will enable Uber to deploy more than 20,000 autonomous taxis over six years.

Despite regulatory challenges, market skepticism, and high costs that have led some companies to scale back autonomous vehicle projects, Uber, Tesla, and Waymo continue to push robotaxi adoption, with Tesla and Waymo expanding services in key U.S. cities such as Austin, San Francisco, and beyond.

Ken Mahoney, CEO of Mahoney Asset Management, commented on the market potential, noting that many companies see the robotaxi sector as a promising growth area with a large total addressable market.