Uber has revealed the design of its upcoming robotaxi, a modified Lucid Gravity SUV developed in partnership with Lucid Motors and Nuro, set to launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later in 2026. The vehicle promises a premium rider experience with seating for six and advanced autonomous features. This marks Uber's first foray into designing the in-vehicle experience for self-driving rides.
At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Uber, Lucid Motors, and Nuro showcased the design of what Uber calls the "industry's most luxurious robotaxi." The partnership, announced in July 2024, combines Uber's ride-hailing operations, Lucid's electric vehicle manufacturing, and Nuro's autonomous driving technology. The Lucid Gravity SUV, which starts at around $80,000 in its non-autonomous form, will feature a sensor suite including high-resolution cameras, lidar, and radar for navigation.
A distinctive roof-mounted halo enhances sensor visibility and doubles as an LED display to show passengers' initials, aiding in vehicle identification. Inside, the robotaxi accommodates up to six passengers with generous luggage space, surpassing the four-passenger capacity of competitors like Waymo and Zoox vehicles. Uber has designed the interior experience for the first time, incorporating interactive screens that allow riders to activate heated seats, adjust temperature and music, contact support, or request the vehicle to pull over. The screens also display the robotaxi's real-time path and driving decisions, such as interactions with pedestrians or traffic lights.
The companies began supervised on-road testing in the San Francisco Bay Area last month using over 100 prototypes. Production is slated to start later this year at Lucid's Arizona factory, pending final validation, with a launch targeted for late 2026 in the Bay Area before expansion. Uber plans to deploy at least 20,000 such vehicles over the next six years across multiple cities.
"By combining leading expertise in electric vehicles, autonomy and ride-hailing, we're building a unique new option for affordable and scalable autonomous rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond," said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery.
This collaboration reflects broader trends in ride-hailing, where companies like Uber partner with AV firms to integrate self-driving options into existing apps, potentially lowering barriers for passengers. Uber already has partnerships with entities like Waymo, Volkswagen, and Avride.
