Tag Archives: Robotaxi

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Lucid Motors Breaks Cover with Massive Uber Robotaxi Deal

Lucid Motors, long known among EV enthusiasts for its groundbreaking long-range electric vehicles, is poised to step into the global spotlight thanks to a game-changing deal with ride-hailing giant Uber. In what marks the biggest commercial partnership in Lucid’s history, at least 20,000 Lucid vehicles will join Uber’s fleet over the next six years, forming the backbone of a next-generation autonomous robotaxi service.

This strategic alliance—between Lucid, Uber, and autonomous driving tech company Nuro—aims to revolutionize urban mobility. The service is set to launch in a major U.S. city in 2026, though the specific location remains undisclosed. For Lucid, which delivered just over 10,000 vehicles last year, this deal is not only a sales windfall but a brand-defining moment.

A Technological Showcase

At the heart of the project is the Lucid Gravity, the brand’s upcoming luxury electric SUV. Modified versions of the Gravity have already been spotted in pre-release photos and videos, featuring roof-mounted hardware packed with sensors and cameras. This hardware enables 360-degree environmental awareness, feeding data to Nuro Driver, a Level 4 autonomous system—meaning it can operate without human input under certain conditions.

The first prototypes are undergoing testing at a facility in Las Vegas, with production-ready models destined for real-world streets soon after. Uber or its third-party partners will own and manage the robotaxis, which will be accessible exclusively via the Uber app.

Built for Autonomy from the Ground Up

Unlike many retrofitted autonomous vehicles, Lucid’s Gravity robotaxi will be built with self-driving tech fully integrated on the production line. This includes redundant electrical and control systems, purpose-built to meet the rigorous demands of autonomous operation. Once off the line, the vehicles will be loaded with Nuro’s software and prepared for deployment across Uber’s global network.

“Autonomous vehicles have enormous potential to transform our cities for the better,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “We are excited to partner with Nuro and Lucid on this new robotaxi program built for the Uber platform to bring the magic of safe autonomous driving to more people around the world.”

Billion-Dollar Bet on the Future

This partnership isn’t just strategic—it’s financial. Uber is committing a $300 million investment in Lucid, while Nuro is set to receive funding worth “hundreds of millions of dollars” to accelerate its self-driving technology. It’s a bold bet that autonomous, electric ride-hailing is not just a Silicon Valley dream, but an impending reality.

For Lucid, the benefits go beyond sales. With thousands of robotaxis on the roads bearing its logo, the company is set to significantly raise public awareness and perception. Once known primarily for its niche luxury appeal, Lucid is now taking a central role in shaping the future of mobility.

Source: Lucid Motors

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Tesla Launches Robotaxi Service in Austin with Limited Availability

Tesla officially kicked off its highly anticipated robotaxi service in Austin on Sunday, June 22, marking a major milestone in the company’s push toward autonomous urban mobility. However, the launch came with significant limitations, raising questions about how close Tesla truly is to a driverless future.

Despite previous promises by Tesla CEO Elon Musk that the service would be fully autonomous, the current version still requires human oversight. Each robotaxi ride includes a “safety monitor”—a Tesla employee seated in the front passenger seat who can intervene in the event of a system failure or dangerous situation. The vehicles are also supported by remote drivers and, at times, escorted by additional staff.

Unlike other companies that deploy human supervisors only during the testing phase, Tesla’s approach blends commercial operation with safety monitoring, signaling that the service may still be in a transitional phase.

For now, the robotaxi service remains exclusive and invitation-only. Tesla has extended invitations primarily to hand-picked influencers and supporters of the brand, sparking criticism over the objectivity of early feedback. The company has not disclosed when, or if, the service will open to the broader public.

Tesla’s self-driving fleet currently consists of 10 to 20 modified Model Y vehicles. These vehicles operate only within a limited area of Austin that Tesla has heavily mapped. Operations are restricted to a specific timeframe—6 a.m. to midnight—and pause during adverse weather conditions. The vehicles also avoid highways, airports, and complicated intersections, which experts say are some of the most challenging scenarios for autonomous systems to handle.

The robotaxi program does not yet include the much-hyped Cybercab, Tesla’s next-generation autonomous vehicle concept unveiled last year. That vehicle isn’t expected to hit public roads until at least 2026.

While the rollout signals a step forward in Tesla’s long-term vision, critics say the company’s slow pace and reliance on human oversight contrast sharply with Musk’s bold claims about full autonomy. As competitors in the autonomous vehicle space—such as Waymo and Cruise—face their own growing pains, Tesla’s cautious approach in Austin may reflect both the promise and the persistent challenges of making robotaxis a real-world reality.

Source: Reuters

News

Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD Drives into the Autonomous Era

Volkswagen is set to take a monumental leap into the future of mobility with the upcoming launch of its first fully autonomous production vehicle — the electric ID. Buzz AD. Representing a new technological era for the German automaker, the vehicle promises to transform urban transportation, although it won’t be available to private buyers.

Expected to enter regular use in Hamburg and Los Angeles by 2027, the ID. Buzz AD is positioned not as a consumer car but as a purpose-built solution for public transportation fleets, ride-sharing services, and commercial partners such as Uber and Moia. The van will debut with around 500 units operating in Hamburg as part of Volkswagen’s own ride-hailing service.

Unlike some competitors in the autonomous race who are targeting individual ownership, Volkswagen is embracing a strategic fleet-first approach. “This is a true revolution in mobility, and we want to shape how cities move,” said a company spokesperson. The vehicle is engineered specifically for urban environments and requires integration with a digital control center, making personal ownership both impractical and economically unviable.

The ID. Buzz AD stands out not only as Volkswagen’s first autonomous vehicle, but also as Europe’s first fully autonomous production car, assembled at the company’s commercial vehicle facility in Hanover. While the model is based on the familiar ID. Buzz design, it is a technological marvel in its own right — equipped with 13 cameras, 9 LiDAR systems, and 5 radar sensors that monitor its surroundings in real time. The system supports autonomous travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h and accommodates four passengers.

Originally slated for launch in 2026, the ID. Buzz AD’s rollout was postponed by a year to allow further development and regulatory approvals, particularly in Europe where legislation for Level 4 autonomy is still evolving. In the interim, vehicles will still feature a safety driver until full certification is secured.

Volkswagen’s autonomous driving program began in earnest in 2021. Since then, its test fleet — now numbering around 100 vehicles — has logged over 600,000 kilometers across cities including Munich, Hamburg, Austin, and Oslo. This growing experience base forms the foundation of the commercial-scale deployment planned for 2027.

The long-term vision is ambitious: Volkswagen plans to deliver more than 10,000 autonomous ID. Buzz vans in the first generation, with Uber alone expected to acquire up to 10,000 units over the next decade.

Yet, for all its technological promise, the ID. Buzz AD remains out of reach for private buyers — not just due to its operational restrictions but also its prohibitive cost. Estimates suggest that a single unit could exceed €100,000, rendering it a vehicle designed strictly for integrated, urban fleet use.

As cities prepare for smarter, more efficient transport systems, Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD might just be the vehicle that drives that change. But for now, it will remain a vision shared, not owned.

Source: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD Drives into the Autonomous Era