Uber Plans 20,000 Autonomous Robotaxis Launch in San Francisco by 2026

Uber is poised to revolutionize urban mobility with plans to launch a fleet of 20,000 autonomous, electric robotaxis based on the Lucid Gravity SUV, retrofitted with Nuro's Level 4 autonomy technology, in the San Francisco Bay Area by late 2026. This initiative leverages Uber's ride-hail telemetry, Lucid's advanced battery platform, and Nuro's sensor fusion suite to create a modular, software-driven transportation ecosystem that stands in contrast to competitors like Waymo. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi envisions a future where all vehicles become autonomous within 20 years, emphasizing that these vehicles must meet "superhuman" safety standards to surpass human drivers' safety records. To accelerate development, Uber is collaborating with Nvidia and automaker Stellantis, with Stellantis expected to deliver at least 5,000 Nvidia-DRIVE-powered Level 4 vehicles for Uber's robotaxi fleet by 2028. While Waymo continues expanding in cities like Seattle and Phoenix, Uber’s approach combines partnerships and a federated software model to rapidly scale autonomous ride-hailing services globally, including pilot programs in Saudi Arabia. These developments mark a significant shift in the ride-hailing industry toward fully autonomous operations, with safety and technological integration as critical pillars.