Uber-backed Nuro has acquired an up to date allow to check its Lucid Gravity robotaxis on California streets, in response to latest DMV documents. It is a key step in Uber’s plan to deploy 100,000 driverless autos within the US, together with as much as 35,000 powered by Nuro’s self-driving know-how. The businesses count on to start fully-autonomous testing later this 12 months, a spokesperson instructed TechCrunch.
Nuro, backed by NVIDIA, Toyota and Uber, has grow to be a key participant within the robotaxi and autonomous automobile area, having already acquired a California DMV allow for driverless deliveries with its R3 Nuro Robotic automobile. At CES 2026 in January, Nuro and Uber unveiled their robotaxi design based mostly on the three-row Lucid Gravity electrical crossover. It will characteristic a multi-pronged sensor system, together with high-res cameras, lidar sensors, and radar, together with a roof-mounted LED show. The inside will supply luxuries like rider-controlled heated seats.
To date, Uber and Nuro have solely operated the Lucid Gravity EVs in autonomous mode with a human security driver and restricted these rides to Uber staff. Nonetheless, the brand new allow will enable the businesses to check the autos with out human operators at speeds as much as 45 mph, day or evening, in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Nuro has additionally been testing its Lucid robotaxis in Tokyo with human drivers as a backup.
Yesterday as a part of its earnings release, Lucid stated that it deliberate to launch the robotaxi service “later this 12 months.” The EV maker additionally revealed that Uber had boosted its funding within the firm to $500 million and elevated its order from 20,000 to 35,000 autos. Earlier than business providers begin, Nuro and Uber would require permits for ride-hailing allow in addition to a DMV deployment allow.
