Uber Stock Gains on Ambitious 20,000-Vehicle Robotaxi Plan with Lucid and Nuro
The ride-hailing giant's shares climbed after revealing its production-intent autonomous SUV at CES 2026, targeting a public launch later this year.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) saw its shares gain ground Tuesday after the company, alongside partners Lucid Motors and autonomous driving firm Nuro, unveiled the production design of its first robotaxi at the CES 2026 conference in Las Vegas. The announcement signals a major step forward in Uber's long-held ambition to integrate autonomous vehicles into its ride-hailing network, with on-road testing already underway and a public launch slated for later in 2026.
Shares of Uber traded up following the reveal, reflecting investor optimism about the new venture's potential to reshape the company's cost structure and long-term profitability. The stock's move comes amid a strong analyst consensus, with 36 of 45 analysts maintaining a 'Buy' or 'Strong Buy' rating on the company.
The vehicle at the center of the plan is a modified version of Lucid's all-electric Gravity SUV, which will be equipped with Nuro's autonomous driving system. The partnership aims to deploy a fleet of up to 20,000 of these autonomous vehicles on the Uber network over the next several years, representing one of the largest-scale robotaxi commitments in the industry to date. According to Nuro's official announcement, the collaboration leverages each company's strengths: Lucid's luxury electric vehicle manufacturing, Nuro's self-driving technology, and Uber's vast ride-sharing platform.
On-road testing of the robotaxis began in the San Francisco Bay Area in late 2025, a critical step toward ensuring the system's safety and reliability. Uber will own and operate the vehicles, a strategy that gives it full control over the user experience and service deployment. This move contrasts with the company's previous approach of partnering with third-party autonomous vehicle operators.
The robotaxi’s design, showcased at CES, features a sophisticated suite of sensors, including cameras, lidar, and radar, integrated into the vehicle's body and a distinctive roof-mounted 'halo'. This technology is powered by NVIDIA's Drive AGX Thor computing platform, a system positioned as a transformative leap in autonomous vehicle AI. Uber has focused heavily on the passenger experience, designing an interior with interactive displays that allow riders to control climate, music, and monitor the trip's progress, as reported by Car and Driver.
For Uber, the strategic imperative is clear. A successful deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale could dramatically reduce its largest single cost: driver payouts. While the initial capital investment in owning a fleet of 20,000 advanced EVs will be substantial, the long-term economic model is compelling for a company with a market capitalization of over $172 billion and a sharp focus on improving margins.
The project marks a significant comeback for Uber's autonomous driving ambitions after it sold its self-driving research unit, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), to Aurora in 2020. This new, partnership-based approach allows Uber to focus on its core competencies in network management and customer experience while leveraging the specialized expertise of Nuro and Lucid.
The initial launch is planned for an as-yet-unnamed U.S. city later in 2026, with a rapid expansion into other markets expected to follow. Industry publications noted that the production of these specialized Lucid Gravity models will begin at Lucid's Arizona factory, with the autonomous hardware integrated directly on the assembly line—a more efficient method than retrofitting existing vehicles.
As the program moves from prototype to public service, the industry will be watching closely. The successful execution of this ambitious plan could solidify Uber's market leadership and provide a blueprint for the future of transportation, while also presenting significant new challenges in regulation, public trust, and operational complexity.