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Uber Partners with Lucid and Nuro for Driverless Robotaxis

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Sunday, February 1st 2026 at 20:08 GMT by TechCrunch
      Locales: California, Arizona, Texas, UNITED STATES

February 2nd, 2026 - Uber is making a bold move towards a fully autonomous future, announcing deepened partnerships with both luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid and autonomous delivery specialist Nuro. This collaboration aims to deploy a fleet of robotaxis onto the Uber platform, promising a revolution in ride-hailing accessibility and efficiency. While Uber has flirted with self-driving technology for years, this new strategy signals a renewed, and seemingly more focused, commitment to driverless transport.

For Uber, the path to autonomous driving hasn't been smooth. A previous, high-profile partnership with Waymo ended in 2020, leaving the company to recalibrate its approach. This new strategy leverages the distinct strengths of Lucid and Nuro, effectively dividing the responsibilities for creating a viable robotaxi service. Lucid will contribute its advanced DreamDrive technology, a sophisticated autonomous driving system. DreamDrive is already renowned within the EV industry for its sensor suite and software capabilities, and integrating it into Uber's platform represents a significant leap forward in self-driving potential. Early testing demonstrated Lucid's DreamDrive surpassing competitors in highway and city driving simulations.

However, the brain of the operation isn't enough. Uber is turning to Nuro to handle the physical vehicle. Nuro's expertise lies in designing and building purpose-built, fully autonomous vehicles. Unlike many self-driving car programs that retrofit existing models, Nuro creates vehicles from the ground up with autonomous operation as the primary goal. This results in Nuro's unique, compact, and boxy design - vehicles that are already legally permitted to operate on public roads without human drivers. This pre-approved regulatory status dramatically reduces the hurdles to deployment compared to adapting conventional car designs.

"This is a big step for Uber as we continue to advance our autonomous ride-hailing aspirations," stated Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. While a standard press release sentiment, it underscores the importance of this strategic shift for the company. Industry analysts suggest Uber's previous attempts were hampered by the complexity of integrating autonomy into existing vehicle platforms. Nuro's purpose-built approach sidesteps these challenges.

The implications of this partnership extend beyond simply removing the driver. A fleet of Nuro robotaxis could dramatically reduce the cost of ride-hailing, making transportation more affordable, especially during peak hours or in underserved areas. The smaller footprint of Nuro vehicles also addresses urban congestion concerns, and their electric powertrain aligns with growing sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, the increased safety potential of autonomous vehicles, while still under scrutiny, is a key driving force behind the investment.

However, questions remain. Uber is deliberately vague regarding the timeline for deployment. While initial rollouts are planned for "select cities," the company hasn't specified which locations will be first, nor has it provided a firm date. This cautious approach likely reflects ongoing testing and regulatory approvals needed before widespread implementation. Pricing models also remain a mystery. Will robotaxi rides be significantly cheaper than traditional UberX options? Or will the cost be comparable, justified by the increased convenience and efficiency?

Experts predict that the first deployments will likely focus on geofenced areas with favorable road conditions and extensive mapping data. This allows Uber and Nuro to validate the technology in a controlled environment before expanding to more complex scenarios. The company will also need to address public perception and build trust in autonomous vehicle safety. Extensive public education campaigns and transparent data reporting will be crucial.

The partnership between Uber, Lucid and Nuro is not merely about technology; it's about reshaping the future of urban mobility. If successful, it could herald a new era of accessible, affordable, and sustainable transportation, fundamentally changing how we move around cities. The world is watching to see if Uber can finally navigate the complex road to a truly driverless future.