Lucid Partners With Uber to Launch 35,000 Robotaxis

While Tesla promises robotaxis someday, Lucid Motors is already putting them on the road with a partnership that could reshape how we get around cities.

The California-based electric vehicle maker teamed up with Uber and autonomous driving specialist Nuro to create a robotaxi unlike anything currently available. The first test vehicles hit the streets of San Francisco in September, graduated to unsupervised drives by December, and are now expanding to cities across America and beyond.

Uber liked what it saw enough to commit to purchasing at least 35,000 Lucid vehicles exclusively for its robotaxi service. The ride-hailing giant also invested an additional $200 million in Lucid, bringing its total investment to $500 million.

The robotaxi is based on Lucid's spacious Gravity SUV and seats up to six passengers with room for everyone's luggage. High-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar sensors, and radar provide 360-degree awareness of surroundings.

Riders can personalize their journey through interactive screens and watch in real time as the vehicle shows what it sees and its planned route. LED lights mounted on the exterior display passenger initials so you can easily spot your ride.

The partnership brings together three key players. Lucid provides the premium electric vehicle platform with exceptional range and interior space. Nuro contributes its Level 4 autonomy system that's already proven capable. Uber offers its massive global marketplace to connect riders with vehicles.

Fleet management comes through Oro Mobility, a new Hertz affiliate focusing on safety and quality for both traditional rideshare drivers and autonomous vehicles. Oro piloted its system in Atlanta last year and recently launched in San Francisco and Los Angeles, with North Jersey coming soon.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership arrives at a crucial moment for American manufacturing and clean transportation. Lucid is ramping up production at its Casa Grande, Arizona factory to meet demand, creating jobs in advanced manufacturing.

The timing also shows resilience. While many automakers saw electric vehicle sales plummet in late 2025 after federal tax credits were slashed, Lucid moved in the opposite direction. Its Gravity SUV sales jumped from 230 vehicles to 1,142 year over year, and the Air sedan climbed from 2,563 to 3,188.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, a major Lucid investor, also committed another $550 million through its Ayar Third Investment affiliate. That vote of confidence signals international belief in American innovation and clean transportation technology.

The San Francisco Bay Area will see the first commercial robotaxis later this year, with additional cities planned for next year. Each vehicle that replaces a gas-powered car means cleaner air and quieter streets for the communities where they operate.

For riders, it means safer roads through technology that never gets distracted or tired, more affordable transportation as costs drop without human drivers, and the freedom to work or relax during their commute instead of navigating traffic.

The race to deliver autonomous electric transportation is heating up, and this partnership just moved one American company to the front of the pack.