Uber Technologies has committed nearly $500 million to self-driving startup Nuro, signaling a major acceleration in its robotaxi ambitions. The investment, structured through direct capital and milestone-linked payments, is part of a three-way partnership with electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors.
The core plan involves deploying a fleet of 35,000 robotaxis on Uber’s ride-hailing network. These vehicles—initially Lucid Gravity SUVs with future midsize models to follow—will be equipped with Nuro’s autonomous driving software. Uber had already disclosed a $500 million stake in Lucid, making it a key financial stakeholder across hardware, software, and distribution.
The funding rollout is phased: Uber participated in Nuro’s $203 million Series E round (which valued Nuro at $6 billion), and subsequent performance-based tranches are tied to key milestones. A first set of milestones has already been met, unlocking an initial tranche. Remaining payments hinge on driverless testing later this year, fully autonomous passenger operations before year-end, and broader commercial deployment in 2027.
Nuro, which originally focused on small delivery robots, pivoted in 2024 to licensing its self-driving technology. This deal marks its shift into passenger mobility. Meanwhile, Uber is also pursuing autonomous partnerships with Baidu, Rivian, and Wayve, and already operates alongside Waymo in select U.S. cities.
Nuro has secured a California permit to test autonomous Lucid Gravity vehicles without a safety driver and, as of May, received authorization to carry passengers in supervised testing. The rollout timeline reflects the industry’s push to move from pilot programs to revenue-generating services.
