Uber, a leading ride-hailing company, has announced plans to launch its premium robotaxi service in Houston, Texas, by mid-2027. This move marks the second US market for Uber's robotaxi service, following its launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.
The robotaxi service will be powered by Lucid EVs equipped with Nuro's self-driving system. Nuro, an autonomous vehicle startup, has been testing its self-driving technology in San Francisco and Houston, with Uber employees already able to hail the Lucid robotaxis. However, these vehicles are not yet fully driverless, and Nuro is working to validate its self-driving system through closed courses and simulation.
Uber's investment in Nuro and Lucid has provided a boost to both companies. Nuro, which made a major pivot in 2024 away from building its own delivery robots, has seen its self-driving technology become a key component of its business. Lucid, meanwhile, has struggled to sell its EVs at scale, and its partnership with Uber is seen as a key opportunity for the company to increase sales.
The launch of Uber's premium robotaxi service in Houston is expected to expand in the coming weeks, with Lucid beginning manufacturing the first production versions of the robotaxis at its Arizona factory. Uber has also established a 50,000-square-foot depot and dedicated charging pitstop in Houston, which will act as its operations hub in the city.
The robotaxi service is expected to provide a premium experience for riders, with a focus on the in-cabin experience. Uber has made significant investments in both Nuro and Lucid, committing to invest $500 million in each company and buying a minimum of 35,000 robotaxi-ready Lucid vehicles.