Uber to Launch Robotaxi Service in San Francisco

Uber to Deploy Premium Robotaxi Service in San Francisco

In 2026, Uber intends to initiate a premium robotaxi service within San Francisco. This service will utilize the all-electric Gravity SUVs manufactured by Lucid Motors, and will be equipped with autonomous technology developed by Nuro.

Announcement at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The unveiling of this plan occurred during the final day of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held in San Francisco. Scheduled interviews with Nuro president and co-CEO Dave Ferguson, and Uber chief product officer Sachin Kansal, are set to take place on the Disrupt stage Wednesday afternoon.

Sachin Kansal stated that the Bay Area, historically a hub for groundbreaking technology, is the logical starting point for Uber’s next-generation robotaxi program. The launch to the public is anticipated for the following year.

Strategic Partnerships and Investment

Uber previously announced a $300 million investment in Lucid. This includes a commitment to purchase a minimum of 20,000 Gravity SUVs over the next six years.

These electric vehicles will integrate Nuro’s autonomous driving system and will be owned and operated by Uber or its fleet partners. The initial launch location had not been disclosed until now.

Competition with Waymo

This decision to launch in San Francisco introduces a competitive dynamic between Uber and Waymo. The two companies were previously involved in a legal dispute concerning trade secrets in 2018.

Despite this past conflict, they have since collaborated, launching a robotaxi service in both Austin and Atlanta earlier this year. Furthermore, in 2023, Waymo vehicles became accessible through the Uber app in Phoenix.

Now, Uber is directly challenging Waymo’s dominance in the autonomous vehicle sector.

Waymo’s Existing Presence

Waymo, headquartered in Mountain View, California, currently operates commercial robotaxi services in several cities, including San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

The company has plans to expand its operations to six additional cities in 2026.

Testing and Validation Phase

Uber, Nuro, and Lucid are actively developing a test fleet of vehicles. Lucid has recently delivered vehicles to Nuro for the integration of its self-driving system.

This fleet is projected to comprise approximately 100 vehicles, dedicated to rigorous testing and validation procedures.

Public road testing will be a prominent aspect of this process, supplemented by simulation and closed-course evaluations.

Broader Autonomous Vehicle Partnerships

Over the past two years, Uber has established numerous partnerships with companies specializing in autonomous vehicle technology. These collaborations encompass a wide range of applications, from ride-hailing to delivery and trucking.

The agreements with Waymo, Nuro, and Lucid are considered particularly significant. Uber has partnered with over 18 companies worldwide, including May Mobility and Volkswagen, as well as Chinese firms like Momenta, WeRide, and Baidu.