Uber to Launch 20K Robotaxis with Lucid and Nuro in $300M Push

- Uber to launch 20,000 autonomous robotaxis with Lucid and Nuro, starting in 2026. - Partnership backed by a $300 million investment in Lucid and a board seat at Nuro. On July 17, 2025, Electrek and Globely News reported that Uber has partnered with Lucid Motors and Nuro on a landmark deal to deploy over 20,000 robotaxis in the U.S. over the next six years. Beginning in a major U.S. city in 2026, the initiative represents Uber’s largest investment in autonomy to date and a major step in its push to lead the electric and self-driving market. Under the agreement, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid Motors and make a significantly larger, undisclosed investment in Nuro. In addition, Uber will acquire a seat on Nuro's board, signaling deep strategic involvement in autonomous vehicle technology. This collaboration effectively combines Lucid’s electric vehicles, Nuro’s self-driving technology, and Uber’s extensive ride-hailing network. Lucid Motors will provide its new Gravity SUV, an electric vehicle with an estimated 450-mile range, which Nuro will then outfit with its Level 4 autonomous driving system during production at Lucid’s Arizona factory. This high-volume order and Uber's financial backing provided a significant growth boost for Lucid, causing the company’s stock price to surge 36% after the announcement. Nuro will equip the Gravity SUVs with its advanced Nuro Driver autonomous system, a technology that functions without human intervention in normal traffic and weather conditions. Furthermore, Nuro is responsible for the autonomous fleet's safety and is already conducting extensive tests at its Las Vegas proving grounds. Uber will integrate these autonomous vehicles into its platform as a premium offering, likely alongside services like Uber Black, with customers accessing the robotaxis exclusively through the Uber app. The vehicles may be owned and operated by Uber or third-party partners, a move that positions Uber to compete directly with Waymo and Tesla as they develop their own robotaxi capabilities. The deal highlights Uber’s ambitious strategy to lead in electric and autonomous transportation, for which the company will leverage its scale, technology partnerships, Lucid's EV expertise, and Nuro's cutting-edge AI. According to CoinMarketCap, as of 16:00 UTC on July 17, Lucid Motors (LCID) had surged 36% to $48.12 and Uber Technologies (UBER) had increased 5.2% to $55.76. In related market activity, Tesla (TSLA) traded at $292.34, with its 24-hour trading volume increasing by 1.5%.