Nuro receives driverless testing permit ahead of Uber robotaxi service launch

Nuro has been given permission to begin driverless testing of its autonomous technology-equipped Lucid Gravity SUVs on public roads in California – vehicles that will eventually be used in Uber’s premium robotaxi service. But the Silicon Valley-based startup backed by Nvidia and Uber says it’s not quite ready to launch.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles, the agency that regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the state, confirmed to TechCrunch on Tuesday that it has amended Nuro’s driverless AV permit to include Lucid Gravity vehicles.

Nuro has had a driverless permit for six years.

But it only applies to operating low-speed delivery vehicles – a programme that was cancelled when the startup pivoted its business model to focus on licensing its technology to companies like Uber.

This latest driverless permit allows Nuro to test Lucid vehicles without a human safety operator behind the wheel. Nuro spokesperson David Salguero told TechCrunch that the company hopes to begin driverless testing later this year, without providing further details about the timing.

The driverless permit is one of several regulatory hurdles that Nuro must overcome before Uber can launch its premium robotaxi service. Nuro must also obtain a driverless ride-hailing permit from the California Public Utilities Commission and a deployment permit from the DMV.

For now, Nuro and Uber are testing Lucid vehicles in autonomous mode with a human safety operator in the driver’s seat. Last month, that test was expanded to allow Uber employees to request an autonomous ride in a Lucid robotaxi through the Uber app — with a human safety operator still on board.

As Neuro progresses in testing, Uber has increased its commitment to Lucid.

When the three-way deal was announced in July 2025, Uber said it would invest $300 million in Lucid and buy 20,000 robotaxi-ready Gravity vehicles. It has since been expanded to $500 million and a minimum of 35,000 robotaxis, with the agreement amended to include at least 10,000 Gravity SUVs and 25,000 EVs built on Lucid’s upcoming mid-size platform.

They will be equipped with EV Neuro’s autonomous vehicle system, powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor computer. The Lucid Gravity Robotaxi, which was revealed in January, is equipped with high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar sensors and radar that help the self-driving system understand and operate within real-world environments.

Uber has also invested millions of dollars in Nuro.

Lucid has delivered 75 engineering vehicles to Nuro and Uber and testing and mileage accumulation continue in multiple cities across the United States, the EV maker revealed during its first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday.

Lucid said Tuesday it is on track to begin commercial robotaxi operations in late 2026Depending on regulatory approval, those robotaxi operations might require a driver or have other limitations.l.

Still, Lucid executives struck a positive tone during the call, saying all development and certifications are progressing as expected.