Nuro Launches Robotaxi Fleet with Uber in San Francisco Next Year

BREAKING: Nuro has just announced a game-changing partnership with Uber to deploy a fleet of 20,000 robotaxis in San Francisco next year, marking a significant step in the race for self-driving technology. Co-CEO Dave Ferguson, a key player in the early days of the Google self-driving car project, shared insights on how this collaboration will unlock unprecedented scale in the robotaxi market.

As the world’s largest ride-hailing network, Uber’s resources combined with Nuro’s innovative technology promise to revolutionize urban transportation. Ferguson stated, “There’s an incredible economy of scale there,” emphasizing how Nuro’s dramatically less expensive sensor stack allows for competitive pricing and wider accessibility.

Nuro, co-founded in 2016 by Ferguson and fellow Google alum Jiajun (JZ) Zhu, has partnered with Lucid Motors to utilize their premium Gravity SUV for this ambitious rollout. This strategic choice targets a diverse customer base, including riders using Uber Black, UberXL, and UberX.

Ferguson highlighted that the collaboration allows Uber to play a pivotal role in shaping the user experience, from the in-car environment to the pickup and drop-off processes. “It was an opportunity for Uber to be much more involved in the design of the product piece,” he noted during an interview at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco.

Furthermore, the partnership aims to address key challenges in the self-driving sector, including fleet scaling and operational logistics. Uber is reportedly constructing depot infrastructure to support the large-scale deployment of these vehicles, a crucial step in ensuring efficiency and service reliability.

Nuro’s decision to launch in San Francisco is strategic, considering the existing competition from Waymo, which has already established a presence in the city. Ferguson expressed a healthy respect for his former colleagues, stating, “We still have a great relationship with a lot of the key folks,” highlighting the tight-knit community among self-driving innovators.

As excitement builds around this project, Nuro’s leadership is confident that the technology will prove itself as a preferred option for consumers. Ferguson pointed out that advancements in their sensor technology, which utilizes off-the-shelf automotive-grade sensors, will enhance safety and performance while keeping costs manageable.

This development not only promises to reshape the landscape of urban mobility but also signifies a landmark moment in Ferguson’s career, coming nearly 14 years after he joined the early team behind what is now Waymo. As Nuro prepares for this ambitious launch, all eyes will be on San Francisco as the next chapter in autonomous vehicles unfolds.

WHAT’S NEXT: As Nuro and Uber gear up for deployment, industry experts and consumers alike will be eager to see how this partnership impacts the ride-hailing market and the future of self-driving technology. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.