In a glittering reveal at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Lucid Group, autonomous tech firm Nuro, and ride-hailing giant Uber unveiled their production-intent robotaxi—a modified Lucid Gravity SUV designed to ferry passengers without a human behind the wheel. Autonomous on-road testing kicked off last month in the San Francisco Bay Area, paving the way for a commercial launch later this year.
Passengers nervous about surrendering control to a machine will find comfort in screens showing exactly what the robotaxi “sees,” from yielding to pedestrians to gentle lane changes. Meanwhile, the promise of a spacious, premium ride could lure riders away from cramped competitors, especially for group trips with luggage in tow.
Uber’s return to the robotaxi game, this time as a platform rather than a developer, adds serious competition to the streets of San Francisco, where Waymo already reigns supreme.
The robotaxi, built on the all-electric Lucid Gravity platform, seats up to six comfortably—a rare luxury in the autonomous world. A roof-mounted “halo” packs high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar, and radars for full 360-degree awareness, while doubling as an LED display flashing rider initials to avoid those awkward “Is this my Uber?” moments.
Inside, Uber crafted the rider experience with interactive screens letting passengers tweak heated seats, climate, and playlists—small pleasures that make surrendering the wheel feel almost indulgent. A real-time visualization calmly explains upcoming maneuvers, reassuring anxious souls that the car isn’t plotting a sudden detour.
Testing began in December, with Nuro overseeing prototypes under human supervision—because even robots appreciate a safety net during their learner permit phase. Production is slated to ramp up later this year at Lucid’s Arizona factory, pending final nods from regulators who, no doubt, have their own checklists.
This trio’s approach contrasts sharply with Tesla’s camera-only philosophy, opting for pricier lidar that experts argue provides a clearer view of the world. Elon Musk may promise cheaper rides, but Lucid, Nuro, and Uber are betting passengers will pay a bit more for the added reassurance—and the extra legroom.
The vehicle runs on Nvidia’s powerful Drive AGX Thor computer, ensuring the brains match the brawn of Lucid’s efficient EV architecture. Uber plans to deploy at least 20,000 of these over the coming years, turning the Gravity into a fleet staple across dozens of markets.
For Lucid, this partnership offers a steady revenue stream beyond individual buyers, helpful when luxury EV demand occasionally hits a speed bump. Nuro brings its Level 4 autonomy expertise, capable of handling complex urban chaos without constant human intervention.
At CES, the robotaxi drew crowds at Nvidia’s showcase, where attendees marveled at a future where traffic jams might involve debating playlist choices instead of road rage. San Francisco residents can expect these sleek machines later this year, joining the growing parade of driverless options navigating foggy hills.
One can’t help noting the mild absurdity: a vehicle costing far more than most homes, now destined to shuttle forgotten phone chargers and late-night tacos. Yet in a world rushing toward autonomy, this collaboration feels like a sensible detour—prioritizing comfort and safety over sheer speed to market.
As production gears up, the real test will come when everyday riders climb aboard, trusting algorithms more than the average human driver on a Monday morning.
Leave a Reply