Uber, Lucid, and Nuro Just Declared War on Waymo and Tesla in the Robotaxi Race

A new heavyweight alliance just entered the autonomous ring. Uber, Lucid, and Nuro are teaming up to launch a premium robotaxi service that could reshape the U.S. mobility landscape and directly challenge current leaders Waymo and Tesla.

The Plan: 20,000 Luxury Robotaxis on the Uber Platform

The trio announced a sweeping new initiative to bring 20,000+ Lucid EVs to Uber’s platform over the next six years. These won’t be your average ride-hailing vehicles. They’ll be high-end Lucid Gravity SUVs powered by Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving software, fully integrated into Uber’s platform and fleet management systems.

Unlike previous Uber AV efforts, these vehicles won’t just be part of a small-scale pilot. They’ll be owned and operated by Uber or through third-party partners, forming a full-on, commercial-scale robotaxi fleet.

"Zoox Autonomous Vehicle." Yahoo News, July 2025, https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oR72b5ijVmjfpZNINGxPAQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTgxNA--/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/76b64ff0-6284-11f0-bbdf-79887049ec21. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

First Stop: A Major U.S. City in 2026

While Uber hasn’t named the city yet, the companies plan to kick off service sometime next year. A prototype is already up and running at Nuro’s proving grounds in Las Vegas, and the commercial rollout will follow after further testing.

And the stakes are high. Uber is backing the deal with serious capital, a $300 million investment in Lucid, along with a similar commitment to Nuro.

Why This Partnership Makes Sense

There’s some big-picture strategy at play here. Lucid’s electric vehicles offer premium tech and advanced architecture ideal for autonomy. Nuro, while known for its compact delivery bots, brings robust, safety-first AV software. And Uber? Well, it’s sitting on a global mobility empire ready for disruption.

It doesn’t hurt that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has major stakes in both Lucid and Uber, $4.29 billion and $5.31 billion, respectively. That shared backing likely helped bring this deal together behind the scenes.

Taking On the Incumbents

This move throws down the gauntlet at Waymo, currently the only company running truly driverless robotaxis at scale in the U.S. It also puts pressure on Tesla, which just expanded its own Robotaxi testing in Austin and the Bay Area, though reports suggest it's still navigating regulatory hurdles.

Worth noting: Uber once tried to build its own AV unit, but it was shut down after a 2018 fatal accident in Tempe, Arizona. This new partnership is a strategic re-entry into the space, leaning on partners rather than internal R&D.

"Uber and Lucid Team Up to Launch Robotaxis." The Economic Times, https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-122643275,width-1600,height-900,resizemode-4,imgsize-47186/uber-and-lucid-team-up-to-launch-robotaxis-20000-driverless-cars-to-hit-us-set-to-take-on-tesla-and-waymo-in-2025.jpg. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

What’s Next?

For Lucid, this could be a game-changing boost. The company just had a strong Q2, and Uber’s massive order could help hit its ambitious 2025 target of delivering 20,000 Air sedans and Gravity SUVs.

For Uber, this could mark a serious leap forward in autonomous mobility, combining premium EVs, proven AV tech, and a global ride-hailing footprint.

And for the industry? The robotaxi race is officially heating up.