Lucid, Uber and Nuro Are starting a robotaxi programme that won’t come to Malaysia anytime soon.
In a landmark announcement poised to redefine autonomous mobility, Lucid Group, Nuro, Inc., and Uber Technologies, Inc. have unveiled a next-generation premium global robotaxi program. Developed exclusively for the Uber ride-hailing platform, this collaboration combines advanced vehicle design, proven Level 4 autonomy, and a massive global network to deliver a fully integrated, safe, and scalable autonomous experience.
The new robotaxi program is expected to first launch in a major U.S. city later next year. The partnership unites three industry leaders, each playing a crucial role in the development and deployment of the service.
Powering the Future: Lucid Gravity and Nuro Driver™
At the heart of the new fleet is the advanced vehicle architecture of the Lucid Gravity. Lucid’s Interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, noted that the vehicle’s fully redundant zonal architecture, long range, and spacious interiors make it “ideal for ridesharing.” Crucially, the Lucid Gravity boasts a long 450-mile EPA estimated range, minimizing downtime for charging and maximizing vehicle availability—key factors for high asset utilization and favorable operating costs in a commercial service.
Enabling true autonomy is the Nuro Driver™ Level 4 self-driving system. Nuro Co-Founder and CEO Jiajun Zhu explained that the system is built on nearly a decade of experience and proven through five years of driverless deployments. The necessary automotive-grade hardware will be integrated directly into the Lucid Gravity on Lucid’s assembly line, with Nuro’s AI-powered software subsequently commissioned by Uber. Nuro will also lead the development of a comprehensive safety case through extensive testing to ensure the vehicles operate safely.
Commitment to Scale and Safety
Uber autonomous vehicle operations will provide the necessary global platform for success. With operations in 70 countries, Uber’s network ensures the benefits of these self-driving cars can reach people everywhere. Uber plans to deploy a fleet of 20,000 or more Lucid vehicles equipped with the Nuro Driver™ over six years. The vehicles will be made available exclusively via the Uber platform.
To solidify this ambitious venture, Uber plans to make multi-hundred-million dollar investments in both Nuro and Lucid. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed excitement for the program, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with Nuro and Lucid on this new robotaxi program, purpose-built just for the Uber platform, to safely bring the magic of autonomous driving to more people across the world.” This deep partnership signals a major step toward making Level 4 autonomy a mainstream reality in urban transport.
