Uber, Lucid, Nuro to launch robotaxi service in Houston

A partnership between Uber, Lucid, and the self-driving technology firm Nuro plans to launch a premium robotaxi service in Houston, Texas, by mid-2027. The announcement, made on June 17, marks the second planned market for the collaboration, following an initial launch targeted for the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.

The service will utilize Lucid's Gravity SUV, equipped with Nuro's Level 4 autonomous driving system, which uses cameras, lidar, and radar. Rides will be booked through the Uber app. Uber has committed to investing approximately $500 million in each partner and to purchasing a minimum of 35,000 robotaxi-ready vehicles from Lucid over the coming years.

To support the Houston operation, Uber has secured a 50,000-square-foot depot, which will house 40 fast chargers and 15 maintenance bays. Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin in early 2027.

The move places the partnership in direct competition with Waymo, which already operates a commercial, fully driverless service in Houston and San Francisco. Notably, Uber and Waymo also maintain a partnership in other cities, including Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, where Waymo rides are bookable through the...