Report by Ken Lucci
At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES)—a mainstay in Las Vegas every January for displaying the latest and future tech—Uber unveiled a premium robotaxi based on the Lucid Gravity SUV. Uber is adding the vehicle to its global ride-share platform, starting in San Francisco birthplace of the TNC, where rival Waymo (owned by Alphabet, the parent of Google) has over 800 autonomous taxis providing service daily.
Exterior of the new vehicle collab between Uber and Lucid
The Uber robotaxis are a collaboration between autonomous driving technology firm Nuro and electric vehicle maker Lucid, using a platform powered by AI-chip colossus Nvidia. In late 2025, Uber and Nvidia announced an alliance to deploy 100,000 robotaxis globally starting in 2027.
"Together with Uber, we're creating a framework for the entire industry to deploy autonomous fleets at scale, powered by Nvidia AI infrastructure," Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said at the time. "What was once science fiction is fast becoming an everyday reality."
Nvidia has collaborated with several automotive manufacturers to integrate its technology into autonomous driving systems. The Lucid Gravity premium robotaxi designed to accommodate six passengers and featuring an Uber-created in-cabin experience was presented at an Nvidia exhibition at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
These fully electric Lucid Gravity robotaxis will offer interactive screens, enabling riders to adjust seat heaters, climate settings, and music. Additionally, according to Uber, passengers will have options to contact support teams or instruct the vehicle to stop.
Initial road testing of the robotaxis commenced last month, with safety drivers present as a precautionary measure.
Interior of the Lucid vehicle
The launch of Uber’s robotaxi service is anticipated later this year, pending regulatory approval in California.
"Uber is proud to partner with Lucid and Nuro to bring a state-of-the-art robotaxi to market later this year," stated Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility.
Uber currently provides users in select U.S. cities with access to robotaxis operated by Waymo. With hundreds of Waymo units on the road in the bay area, the futuristic autonomous vehicles have also become a tourist attraction for visitors to the city.
Some other notables from the media (compiled by the CD team):
- Sony Honda Mobility’s AFEELA Prototype 2026: The partnership between the two companies had imagined now two EVs—on its way to autonomous vehicle status…someday, we hope—with lots and lots of screens for an immersive gaming experience.
- Waymo’s Ojai: The AV taxi company has unveiled its latest potential fleet addition, a minivan-style vehicle called the Ojai, which was developed in collab with Chinese automaker Zeekr. The vehicle is currently being tested in Phoenix and will expand to other cities soon.
- Ford’s Eyes-Off BlueCruise: The legacy automaker Motor Company announced that its hands-free BlueCruise highway driving system will receive a major upgrade with the introduction of an eyes-off version of BlueCruise. The new system is expected to arrive in 2028 at a cost of $30,000 on Ford's new Universal Electric Vehicle platform.
- Mercedes-Benz Reveals All-Electric GLC: The German brand is upping its EV game with its new GLC, geared at the American market. The EV features technology galore, not the least of which is integration with both Google and Microsoft AI. Oh, and they’re working with Nvidia too.
- AI, AI Everywhere!: AI isn’t just for the office or your phone. Car manufacturers are working hard to perfect a digital assistant to make driving a lot less like driving and more like, well, talking to your Stepford wife. You can read more about auto AI here and here and here.
