Uber to launch a premium robotaxi service in Waymo’s turf of San Francisco

In a bold move, Uber has chosen San Francisco as the launch site for its premium robotaxi service, utilizing the innovative all-electric Gravity SUVs from Lucid Motors, equipped with advanced self-driving technology from Nuro. This announcement marks a significant step in the competitive landscape of autonomous ride-hailing, as Uber directly challenges Waymo's stronghold in the city. The reveal coincided with the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 event, where key figures from both companies, including Nuro's president Dave Ferguson and Uber's chief product officer Sachin Kansal, are slated to discuss their plans. Kansal highlighted the Bay Area's legacy as a hub for groundbreaking technology, stating, "It’s only fitting that Uber’s next-generation robotaxi program with Lucid and Nuro will begin here — launching to the public next year." Earlier this year, Uber committed to investing $300 million in Lucid Motors and plans to acquire a minimum of 20,000 Gravity SUVs over the next six years. This investment is part of Uber's strategy to develop and roll out a premium robotaxi service. The vehicles will feature Nuro’s autonomous systems and will either be operated by Uber or its fleet partners. The decision to launch in San Francisco heightens the competitive tension with Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, which already operates a commercial robotaxi service in the Bay Area and is set to expand to six additional cities in 2026. While Uber and Waymo have previously clashed in a legal dispute over trade secrets, they have since reconciled, having collaborated on a robotaxi service in Austin and Atlanta earlier this year. As part of their partnership, Uber, Nuro, and Lucid are in the process of developing a test fleet, with Lucid recently supplying vehicles to Nuro for the integration of its self-driving technology. The goal is to establish a fleet of around 100 test vehicles, which will undergo testing on public roads, offering a glimpse into the future of autonomous transportation. Nuro also plans to employ simulations and controlled environments for additional testing. Over the past two years, Uber has formed numerous partnerships with various autonomous vehicle technology firms, solidifying its position within the industry. With more than 18 collaborations globally, including recent agreements with May Mobility, Volkswagen, and several Chinese self-driving companies, Uber is positioning itself at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution.