Uber is expanding its robotaxi empire for the second time in as many weeks. The ride-sharing giant has started Taxi test rides for employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, using Lucid Gravity SUVs upgraded with Nuro self-driving car technology.
The trial still has a safety driver available, but will allow Uber staff to hail autonomous vehicles through its app. They will help validate the vehicles and overall ride in real-world environments. This will help “refine the service” as Uber and its partners get closer to a commercial launch, according to Nuro.
Association history
Public attractions are expected this year.
Uber first unveiled its partnerships with Nuro and Lucid in July 2025, when they outlined plans to deploy 20,000 Gravity robotaxis starting in 2026. The companies revealed the “production intent” version of the modified Gravity in January, which includes a rooftop sensor array with cameras, LiDAR and radar. Screens in the cabin help passengers customize their trips and see the robotaxi’s intended path.
Public rides are expected later in 2026, and the service will reach “dozens” of markets around the world over the next six years.
You can call robotaxis through Uber right now
Waymo and other providers are now available
There is no need to wait for Uber, Nuro and Lucid to make their autonomous rides available. Can ask about trips on Waymo through the Uber app in Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix. Avride provides service in Dallas, and travelers in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East can hop on WeRide vehicles.
Uber and MOIA, VW’s mobility unit, recently said they would offer robotaxi service in Los Angeles by the end of 2026. In the long term, Uber is collaborating with brands such as Amazon ZooxMotional, NVIDIA and Rivian.
What the future may hold
However, alliances with Nuro and Lucid should play a key role in Uber’s strategy. Since Uber sold its internal robotaxi division to Aurora Innovation in 2020, it has focused on partnerships that will help it become synonymous with autonomous travel. A fleet of 20,000 cars would represent a significant expansion at a time when Uber’s current coverage is still limited.
Rivian also has announced a new partnership with Uberin which the latter will invest $1.25 billion until 2031 in the development of fully autonomous vehicles.
While this will create some competition with partners like Waymo, its primary goal is to fend off more direct competition from Lyft and other ride-sharing heavyweights that are setting up their own teams or developing their own technologies. Tesla, for example, offers limited robotaxi service in the Austin area using its own platform.
