Consider calling an Uber, and a shiny luxury SUV stops in front of you, but there’s no one in the driver’s seat. That future is getting closer. On January 5, 2026, three big companies, Lucid, Nuro, and Uber, showed off their new robotaxis at the CES technology show in Las Vegas.
They aren’t just showing an idea, they’re ready to make it real. Tests started in San Francisco in December, and people will be able to book rides later this year.
A High-Tech Luxury Ride
The new taxi is based on the Lucid Gravity, a fancy electric SUV. Unlike other self-driving cars that look awkward, this one was made from the start to be a robotaxi.
The car is built at Lucid’s own factory in Arizona. This is different from other companies that buy finished vehicles and take them apart to add sensors. By creating everything together, the companies say the cars will be stronger and cheaper to make.
On the roof, there’s a special “halo” with cameras, radars, and sensors that help the car see everything around it. The driving system comes from Nuro, known for its self-driving delivery vehicles. It uses a powerful Nvidia “Thor” computer chip to make quick decisions while driving.
Inside the Ride
Since there’s no driver to talk to, Uber made the inside easy and fun for riders. When the car arrives, a glowing screen on top shows your initials so you know it’s your ride. Inside, up to six people can sit comfortably, more than most driverless taxis today.
There are touchscreens to play music, change the air temperature, or turn on seat warmers. You can also watch a live 3D map showing what the car sees, like people, cars, and lights, so you feel safe. If you need help, you can tell the car to stop or contact support.
The Race to Be First
Uber once tried to build its own self-driving cars but stopped a few years ago. Now, it wants to be the “app for everything.” Instead of owning the cars, Uber works with companies like Lucid and Nuro to offer rides through its app. As part of this plan, Uber is investing $300 million in Lucid and hopes to put at least 20,000 of these taxis on the road in six years.
This move puts them in competition with Tesla and Waymo, who are also working on driverless taxis. For Lucid, this partnership is important, sales of its expensive cars have been slow, so building taxis for Uber helps keep its Arizona factory running. If testing in San Francisco goes well, these robot taxis could appear in more cities around the world by the end of 2026.
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