TL;DR
- Uber invests $300M in Lucid and orders 20,000 Gravity SUVs
- Nuro receives multi-hundred-million-dollar investment to provide autonomous tech
- Modified Lucid EVs with Level 4 autonomy will debut in 2026
- Robotaxi service expected in a major U.S. city by 2026
- Uber doubles down on AV partnerships to dominate future mobility
Uber’s Big Bet on Autonomous Ride-Hailing
Uber is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to Lucid and Nuro to bring a premium robotaxi service to market. Under the agreement, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid and purchase at least 20,000 Gravity SUVs over the next six years. These vehicles will integrate Nuro‘s autonomous driving system and will be operated by Uber or its fleet partners.
The company aims to launch its premium robotaxi service in a major U.S. city by next year, according to a regulatory filing. Vehicle production for this initiative is expected to start in late 2026.
Strategic Partnership with Nuro
Uber is also injecting an undisclosed multi-hundred-million-dollar sum into Nuro, which insiders say exceeds its Lucid investment. The three-party agreement took a year to finalize, highlighting the strategic weight of the partnership.
“We were thrilled that after evaluating almost every AV company, Uber chose us,” said Dave Ferguson, Nuro’s co-founder and president, in a statement to TechCrunch.
Nuro and Lucid engineers are already testing prototypes at the company’s Las Vegas proving grounds. The upcoming Gravity SUVs, enhanced with Nuro’s autonomous technology, will feature Level 4 automation, capable of fully autonomous driving in specific conditions.
Uber’s Expanding AV Footprint
This partnership adds to Uber’s growing list of AV collaborations. The ride-hailing giant has partnered with over 18 AV companies globally, spanning ride-hailing, delivery, and logistics solutions. Recent deals include partnerships with May Mobility, Volkswagen, and Chinese AV players such as Momenta and WeRide.
Its most prominent U.S. alliance is with Waymo, offering the “Waymo on Uber” service in Austin and Atlanta, a project that is already operational.
Uber’s AV Ecosystem (2023-2025)
| Partner | Focus Area | Status | Source |
| Lucid | Premium EVs for robotaxi fleet | 20,000 units ordered | TechCrunch |
| Nuro | Level 4 AV system licensing | Multi-hundred-million investment | TechCrunch |
| Waymo | AV ride-hailing | Active in Austin & Atlanta | Waymo |
| May Mobility | AV shuttle services | Announced 2025 | May Mobility |
Why This Matters
Uber’s investments underscore its ambition to lead the autonomous ride-hailing market. For Lucid, the partnership validates its positioning in the premium EV segment, while Nuro’s pivot to AV licensing appears to be paying off after a challenging financial period.
As Uber readies its Level 4 robotaxi fleet, this collaboration could reshape urban mobility, offering luxury, sustainability, and autonomy in one package.
