Uber is making a bold strategic leap into autonomous mobility by investing $300 million in electric-vehicle manufacturer Lucid, becoming its second-largest shareholder after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Simultaneously, Uber is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to autonomous-vehicle software specialist Nuro. This marks a significant shift in Uber’s strategy—from building autonomy in-house to forging partnerships with established specialists in the EV and robotics sectors.
The new partnership involves deploying at least 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomy system. These vehicles are expected to launch in a major U.S. city in late 2026, with a nationwide rollout planned over six years. Although these robotaxis will operate via the Uber app, they will be owned either by Uber or third-party fleet operators. Prototypes of the vehicles are currently undergoing testing at Nuro’s Las Vegas facility.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi described the move as “purpose-built just for the Uber platform,” underscoring the company’s renewed commitment to reshaping urban mobility. This partnership places Uber directly in competition with other players in the growing autonomous ride-hailing sector, such as Tesla—which has begun robotaxi trials in Austin—and Alphabet’s Waymo, which continues expanding operations in cities like Atlanta and Austin.
Market response to the announcement was swift. Lucid’s stock surged by as much as 43%, reflecting investor confidence in the brand’s strengthened market position. For Uber, this is a significant reversal of its previous approach to autonomy. In 2020, the company divested its autonomous vehicle unit to Aurora, stepping back from the costly development of in-house self-driving technology. Now, Uber appears to be doubling down on the sector—but through strategic partnerships.
Uber has recently adopted a broader alliance model for its autonomous ambitions. In addition to this new deal with Lucid and Nuro, the company has ongoing partnerships with Waymo in select U.S. markets and a planned deployment of Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz robotaxis in Los Angeles. This diversified approach allows Uber to maintain a strong foothold in AV services while mitigating the risks of building the technology independently.
For consumers, the rollout of autonomous Lucid SUVs means access to a new type of ride-hailing experience, beginning with a pilot in one city and expanding across the country. Nuro’s deep expertise in robotics and last-mile delivery also suggests the potential for Uber to integrate autonomous delivery into its platform, adding another layer of innovation to its services.
Regulators will be challenged to keep pace with this rapid evolution. The deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles involves extensive oversight, certification, and safety evaluations. Current regulatory frameworks may require significant adaptation to address the complexities and risks associated with AI-driven vehicle systems.
In a separate development within the realm of AI and regulatory innovation, Microsoft and Idaho National Laboratory have announced the rollout of artificial intelligence tools designed to accelerate the licensing process for nuclear reactors. This partnership aims to use AI—via Microsoft’s Azure cloud—to generate engineering and safety documentation that supports licensing applications. These documents can stretch hundreds of pages and traditionally take years to prepare.
Importantly, these AI systems are designed to assist human engineers rather than replace them. Drafted content will still be subject to expert review and editing, preserving critical oversight in the licensing process. This initiative comes on the heels of a May 2025 executive order aimed at reducing the time required for nuclear licensing from several years to just 18 months, responding to urgent energy demands—particularly from data centers powered by AI technologies.
Together, Uber’s AV initiative and the Microsoft-INL nuclear licensing project reflect a broader transformation driven by AI and automation. As these tools become embedded in high-stakes sectors like transportation and energy, they promise to streamline processes and enhance service efficiency. But they also highlight the urgent need for modernized regulatory systems and frameworks that can keep pace with rapid innovation.
Uber’s renewed commitment to autonomous technology, bolstered by high-profile investments and partnerships, is a pivotal moment in the evolution of urban mobility. Meanwhile, AI’s role in nuclear licensing illustrates the transformative potential of intelligent systems in critical infrastructure. As these technologies become mainstream, stakeholders—from investors to regulators—will need to navigate a landscape defined increasingly by autonomy, data, and machine-driven decision-making.
