Uber Taking on Waymo in San Francisco With Lucid, Nuro Robotaxis

Core Insights - Uber Technologies Inc. is set to launch driverless rides using vehicles from Lucid Group Inc. and Nuro Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area next year, entering direct competition with Waymo's robotaxi service [1][4] Group 1: Vehicle Testing and Deployment - Road testing of Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro's self-driving technology is currently in progress, with initial deliveries made in September and plans to expand the test fleet to over a hundred vehicles [2] - The vehicles used for public ride-hailing will be distinct from the current test fleet, with further operational details to be announced closer to the launch [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Uber's initiative represents a challenge to Waymo, which has established a significant presence in San Francisco and is expanding its services to additional cities including Miami, London, and Washington next year [4][6] - Waymo has been expanding its service area and has secured permissions to operate at major transit hubs like the San Francisco and San Jose airports, which are critical for ride-hailing services [7] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships and Investments - Over the past year, Uber has formed more than a dozen partnerships with robotaxi developers, investing hundreds of millions in both Lucid and Nuro, indicating a strategic bet on a future where autonomous and human-driven vehicles coexist [5] - Uber aims to build a fleet of 100,000 autonomous vehicles powered by Nvidia technology, starting with a commitment to purchase and operate 20,000 Lucid-Nuro robotaxis over the next six years [6] Group 4: Regulatory Environment - Nuro has obtained driverless testing and deployment permits in parts of the South Bay but lacks the necessary permits to operate Lucid vehicles without a driver in San Francisco and to carry passengers [8] - Nuro and its partners are committed to obtaining all required permits as testing progresses, while Uber is actively updating policymakers and regulators on its operational progress [9]