Uber Places $300M Bet on Lucid for Robotaxi Future
Uber is diving deeper into the autonomous vehicle (AV) race with a bold $300 million investment in electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Motors. The deal, announced Thursday, signals a high-stakes return to the robotaxi space, powered by a strategic three-way partnership between Uber, Lucid, and AV tech startup Nuro.
The collaboration aims to deploy over 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software starting in 2026. The launch will begin with one major U.S. city, and eventually scale to serve urban markets nationwide. Uber’s move comes amid a growing wave of AV projects resurfacing after earlier setbacks.
20,000 Self-Driving EVs Hit the Road Starting 2026
According to a joint statement from the companies, the deal spans six years and includes autonomous versions of Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV, built specifically for Uber’s ride-hailing service. Nuro’s AV technology—previously used in last-mile delivery bots—will drive the fleet.
Lucid confirmed the $300 million investment in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, causing its shares to surge over 26% to $2.95. However, the stock remains down approximately 24% year-to-date.
The Robotaxi Race Heats Up Again
Uber’s latest partnership follows its earlier robotaxi announcement in April with Volkswagen, which plans to supply ID.Buzz electric vans for autonomous services in Los Angeles.
Tesla has also entered the arena, launching a small Model Y robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to expand its AV operations across U.S. cities, reaching over 100 million autonomous miles this month.
Yet commercializing robotaxi tech remains a challenge. High development costs, regulatory roadblocks, and public safety concerns have derailed many previous ventures. General Motors’ Cruise is one example—shuttering its operations after facing scrutiny and investigations.
Nuro Powers the AV Brain Behind the Wheel
Nuro, co-founded by ex-Waymo engineers, brings its autonomous driving software to the table. Once known for its small delivery vehicles, the startup is now shifting toward large-scale vehicle integration.
A prototype Lucid-Nuro robotaxi is already running autonomously on closed tracks at Nuro’s Las Vegas facility. However, state-level approvals are still required before commercial operations begin.
“We’re in talks with other vehicle makers to integrate the Nuro driver into personal EVs for consumers too,” said Nuro co-founder and president Dave Ferguson.
Lucid Eyes Broader Tech Horizons
Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff emphasized that this partnership marks a major shift for the EV company, known mostly for luxury sedans like the Air. “We’re expanding beyond traditional EV tech leadership. Strategic partnerships are now central to our growth,” Winterhoff told Reuters.
Separately, Lucid announced plans for a one-for-ten reverse stock split of its Class A common stock, a move often aimed at boosting share price visibility and investor appeal.
A Future Fueled by Partnership
Uber’s renewed robotaxi vision signals a clear intent to lead in the next generation of urban mobility. By aligning with Lucid’s EV expertise and Nuro’s autonomous systems, the company is betting on a smarter, driverless future.
With cities growing, traffic rising, and ride-hailing evolving, Uber’s $300 million bet could reshape how Americans move.
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