The expansion relies on a fleet of Lucid Gravity SUVs retrofitted with Nuro’s self-driving hardware. While testing is currently underway in Houston using safety drivers, the companies are scaling operations behind a 50,000-square-foot depot and charging facility recently established in the city. Production of the robotaxi-ready vehicles is set to ramp up at Lucid’s Arizona factory, providing a critical manufacturing pipeline for the venture.
In section Startups & Technology
Uber Targets Houston for 2027 Robotaxi Expansion
Following a strategic push into the San Francisco market, Uber plans to bring its premium robotaxi service to Houston by mid-2027. The project, backed by a partnership with EV manufacturer Lucid and autonomous technology firm Nuro, sets the stage for a direct confrontation with Alphabet’s Waymo in two major U.S. hubs.
Uber’s financial commitment underscores the ambition of the rollout. The ride-hailing giant has invested roughly $500 million into both Nuro and Lucid, with a firm agreement to purchase at least 35,000 autonomous-ready vehicles. For Nuro, the partnership marks a pivot toward licensing its software, while for Lucid, the deal offers a path to scale production in a competitive electric vehicle sector dominated by Tesla.
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