Autonomous technology firm Nuro has secured a pivotal permit to test driverless Lucid Gravity SUVs on California's public roads, a major advancement for its partnership with Uber. This development paves the way for a premium robotaxi service, bolstered by Uber's expanded investment and a larger vehicle order from Lucid. The collaboration is making tangible progress toward its goal of launching commercial operations in late 2026.
A Key Regulatory Hurdle Cleared
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has officially modified Nuro's existing permit, authorizing the company to conduct driverless testing with the Lucid Gravity SUV. This marks a significant shift for Nuro, which previously held a permit for a low-speed delivery vehicle program that has since been discontinued. The new approval is critical as the company pivots its business model to licensing its advanced autonomous technology.
While Nuro has not provided a specific start date, a company spokesperson confirmed that driverless testing is expected to commence later this year. This permit is one of several regulatory milestones the company must achieve before launching a public service. Nuro will still need to secure a driverless ride-hailing permit from the California Public Utilities Commission and a final deployment permit from the DMV.
An Expanded Partnership with Uber
In a strong show of confidence, Uber has significantly increased its commitment to the three-way partnership. The ride-hailing giant has raised its total investment in Lucid to $500 million and expanded its vehicle order to a minimum of 35,000 robotaxis. This updated agreement includes at least 10,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs and 25,000 electric vehicles built on Lucid's forthcoming midsize platform.
Currently, the companies are actively testing the autonomous Lucid vehicles with human safety operators behind the wheel. This testing phase recently expanded to allow Uber employees to request rides through the standard Uber app, providing valuable real-world feedback. To facilitate this extensive testing and mileage accumulation, Lucid has already delivered 75 engineering vehicles to its partners for use in several US cities.
Technology and Corporate Momentum
The autonomous fleet will be powered by Nuro’s sophisticated self-driving system, which runs on Nvidia’s powerful Drive AGX Thor computer. Each Lucid Gravity robotaxi is outfitted with a comprehensive sensor suite, including high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar, and advanced radars. This technology enables the vehicle to perceive its environment and navigate complex urban settings safely and efficiently.
This technological progress is supported by Lucid's strengthening financial position and operational focus. The automaker recently announced it had raised over $1 billion in new capital and ended the first quarter with approximately $4.7 billion in total liquidity. The company also appointed Silvio Napoli as its new CEO to guide its next phase of growth toward financial self-sufficiency.
The new driverless testing permit represents a crucial step forward, transforming the ambitious robotaxi project from a concept into a tangible reality on public roads. With strengthened financial backing, an expanded vehicle commitment, and a clear regulatory path, the Nuro, Lucid, and Uber alliance is well-positioned for its future. All eyes are now on the next milestones as the partnership works toward its planned commercial launch in late 2026.