Uber Robotaxis Coming to California Streets by Late 2026

Self-driving cars just got closer to becoming part of everyday life in California, with regulators approving driverless testing for the robotaxis Uber plans to launch next year.

Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup backed by Nvidia and Uber, received permission from California's Department of Motor Vehicles to test Lucid Gravity SUVs without any human driver on public roads. The company plans to start these fully autonomous tests later this year, marking a major step toward Uber's premium robotaxi service.

The partnership brings together three major players building the future of transportation. Uber has invested $500 million in Lucid Motors and committed to buying at least 35,000 electric vehicles. Nuro provides the self-driving technology powered by Nvidia's computer systems. The result is a luxury electric SUV packed with cameras, solid-state lidar sensors, and radars that help it see and navigate the world.

Right now, human safety operators still sit behind the wheel during tests. Last month, Uber employees started requesting rides through the regular Uber app in these autonomous vehicles, though a trained driver remains ready to take control. That real-world testing is happening in multiple cities across the United States.

Lucid has already delivered 75 engineering vehicles to the partnership and confirmed the robotaxis are on track for commercial operations starting in late 2026. The company told investors during its earnings call this week that all development and certifications are moving forward as expected.

Before passengers can hail a driverless Uber, Nuro still needs two more approvals: a ride-hailing permit from California's Public Utilities Commission and a deployment permit from the DMV. These regulatory steps ensure the technology meets safety standards before operating without human backup.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership could reshape urban transportation for millions of people. The initial order of 35,000 electric robotaxis represents one of the largest commitments to autonomous vehicles yet, signaling that self-driving rides are moving from science fiction to practical reality.

California has been a testing ground for autonomous vehicle technology for years, but most projects involved limited trials or small delivery robots. This expansion to full-size SUVs on a major ride-sharing platform could make self-driving cars a common sight.

The move also accelerates the shift to electric vehicles. Every robotaxi replaces gas-powered trips with zero-emission rides, multiplying the environmental benefit since each vehicle serves many passengers throughout the day.

Commercial robotaxi operations could begin in late 2026, though some limitations may apply depending on final regulatory approvals. Even so, executives from all three companies expressed confidence that the timeline remains solid and testing continues to show progress.

The technology that once seemed decades away is now just months from potentially changing how people move through their cities.