Uber is gearing up to introduce driverless rides in the San Francisco Bay Area next year using Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s self-driving technology — directly challenging Waymo’s established robotaxi service.
Road testing is already underway with human drivers, and Uber says it expects to expand the fleet to over 100 vehicles in the coming months. The ride-hailing giant plans to share more details about its public rollout and rider experience closer to launch.
This move marks a major step in Uber’s growing commitment to autonomous technology. The company has partnered with more than a dozen robotaxi developers, including Lucid and Nuro, and aims to build a fleet of 100,000 autonomous vehicles powered by Nvidia technology beginning in 2027.
While Waymo currently dominates San Francisco, offering driverless rides and airport service, Uber’s entry signals intensifying competition. Nuro is still securing final permits from California regulators to operate fully driverless passenger rides in San Francisco.
Uber says it’s working closely with state and federal agencies to ensure compliance as testing and deployment continue.
Source: Insurance Journal Magazine
