Lucid Motors shows off robotaxi concept called ‘Lunar’

Lucid Motors has introduced an innovative robotaxi concept named the "Lucid Lunar" during its recent investor day in New York City. This futuristic two-seater vehicle is designed without a steering wheel or pedals, reflecting the company's shift towards autonomy as it develops its upcoming series of mid-sized electric vehicles. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff indicated that the Lunar is already in the works and will be launched following the release of Lucid's mid-size models. However, a subsequent clarification from the company to TechCrunch revealed that active development on the dedicated robotaxi is not currently underway. In addition to the Lunar, Lucid Motors disclosed that it is nearing a partnership agreement with Uber to create a robotaxi based on one of its forthcoming mid-size vehicles. The company is also collaborating with Nuro to develop an autonomous version of its Gravity SUV, which is set to debut on Uber's network in the San Francisco area by the end of this year. Neither Lucid nor Nuro confirmed whether this new vehicle will incorporate Nuro's technology. These announcements highlight Lucid's growing focus on autonomy as a potential revenue stream to complement its electric vehicle sales. During the investor presentation, Lucid displayed a bar chart indicating its expectations that earnings from robotaxi partnerships could significantly surpass revenue from licensing its electric vehicle technology, although details were sparse. In a move to capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous features, Lucid revealed plans to offer monthly subscriptions for its DreamDrive Pro, which will enhance driver assistance capabilities. Starting in the first half of 2027, subscriptions will range from $69 for basic assistance to $199 for full self-driving capabilities, which are yet to be developed by Lucid or any other automaker. The company emphasized the potential of autonomy subscriptions as a major monetization opportunity, drawing parallels to Tesla's Full Self-Driving service. Furthermore, Lucid is working on an in-cabin AI assistant designed to perform simple tasks and respond to complex queries, although a live demonstration of the assistant during the event did not go as planned, leading to the use of a pre-recorded video instead. The remainder of the investor day was dedicated to discussing Lucid's strategies for reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing the efficiency of its electric drivetrain. These advancements will be crucial in making the new mid-sized vehicles, expected to start around $50,000, accessible to a broader market. Among the upcoming models, one has been named the Lucid Cosmos, while the other is called the Lucid Earth, with a third name yet to be revealed.