Key facts
- Uber plans to launch a premium robotaxi service in Houston by mid-2027.
- The service is a partnership with EV maker Lucid and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro.
- This expansion follows preparations for a similar service in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.
- Uber intends to expand the robotaxi program to dozens of cities in the coming years.
- Nuro has received a permit to remove safety drivers from its vehicles in California.
- Uber and Nuro are testing a fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles in Houston.
- Uber has invested approximately $500 million in Nuro and committed $500 million to Lucid.
Uber has announced its intention to launch a premium robotaxi service in Houston by mid-2027, marking the second U.S. market for its collaboration with EV manufacturer Lucid and autonomous vehicle technology company Nuro. This strategic expansion follows closely on the heels of preparations for a similar service in the San Francisco Bay Area, slated for launch later this year.
The company has stated its ambition to eventually deploy its robotaxi program across numerous cities in the coming years. Initially, the focus will be on San Francisco and Houston, where Uber's service will compete directly with Waymo, an autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, which already operates commercial robotaxi services in both locations.
Nuro has been actively testing Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with its autonomous driving system in San Francisco. Despite receiving a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that allows for the removal of safety drivers, these vehicles are not yet fully driverless. In Houston, Uber and Nuro are currently testing a combined fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles on public roads, with safety operators present. Nuro is also utilizing closed courses and simulations to ensure the self-driving system's reliability before public deployment.
The Lucid Gravity robotaxi, unveiled in January, features advanced sensors including high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar, and radars to enable its self-driving capabilities. Uber, which will manage and operate the fleet, is concentrating on enhancing the in-cabin rider experience. To support this launch, Uber is establishing a 50,000-square-foot operations hub in Houston, complete with a dedicated charging pitstop.
This partnership offers a significant boost to Nuro, which shifted its focus in 2024 from developing its own delivery robots to licensing its autonomous technology. It also benefits Lucid, which has faced challenges in scaling EV sales. Uber has made substantial investments in both companies, reportedly investing approximately $500 million in Nuro and committing a similar amount to Lucid, along with a commitment to purchase at least 35,000 robotaxi-ready Lucid vehicles.