Uber Prepares to Roll Out 20,000 Six-Seat Driverless Taxis

A new video shared by CNET on TikTok reveals fresh details about Uber’s upcoming robotaxi plans, as the company gears up to launch a self-driving service later this year in the San Francisco Bay Area. The project is being developed in partnership with autonomous vehicle firm Nuro and electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors.

Riders will be able to hail a driverless Lucid Gravity directly from the Uber app. This marks the first time Uber says it has been actively designing the in-vehicle rider experience for a fully autonomous service.

The Lucid Gravity robotaxi will be capable of carrying up to six passengers, setting it apart from other autonomous vehicles currently operating in the US, such as Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE fleet or Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab concept. Uber, Lucid and Nuro have a long-term ambition to roll out up to 20,000 of these vehicles over the next six years, starting in the Bay Area before expanding into additional cities.

Inside the vehicle, passengers will have access to interactive screens allowing them to adjust climate controls, activate heated seats, play music, contact Uber support, or instruct the vehicle to safely pull over if needed. The focus, according to Uber, is on comfort, control and reassurance for riders using a car with no human driver.

DM News Commentary

Uber’s move into a more premium, people-carrier style robotaxi is notable. A six-seat autonomous EV instantly positions this service closer to group travel, airport runs and family journeys — areas traditionally dominated by taxis, private hire, and chauffeur-style vehicles.

@cnetdotcom
Uber is gearing up to launch its self-driving partnership with autonomous vehicle company Nuro and electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors later this year in the San Francisco Bay Area before expanding to additional cities. Uber says this is the first time it’s “designing the in-vehicle rider experience.” That includes interactive screens that can activate heated seats, control the temperature and play music. There will also be options for contacting support or having the vehicle pull over. #uber #robotaxi #rideshare #tech #lucidmotors
♬ original sound – CNET

While this rollout is currently limited to the US, it gives a clear signal of where ride-hailing giants see the future heading. The emphasis on luxury, passenger control, and experience suggests Uber understands that acceptance of driverless vehicles won’t come from cost alone — comfort and trust will be just as important.

For now, this remains a US-only trial, but UK drivers and operators will be watching closely. Any large-scale success in California is likely to influence future discussions around automation, licensing, and passenger expectations worldwide.

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