Nuro Partners with Uber to Deploy Robotaxis in San Francisco

UPDATE: Nuro, co-founded by former Google self-driving car engineer Dave Ferguson, has just announced a groundbreaking partnership with Uber to deploy a fleet of robotaxis in San Francisco next year. This development marks a significant shift in the autonomous vehicle landscape, as Nuro aims to leverage Uber’s extensive ride-hailing network to scale its robotaxi service.

In a statement made at TechCrunch Disrupt, Ferguson revealed that this partnership will utilize Nuro’s “dramatically less expensive” sensor technology paired with Uber’s platform, which boasts nearly 9 million drivers worldwide. Ferguson emphasized the potential for an “incredible economy of scale” that this partnership will create.

Uber plans to roll out 20,000 robotaxis equipped with Nuro’s self-driving technology and Lucid’s premium Gravity SUV. This vehicle, priced at approximately $80,000, is designed to capture various segments of Uber’s market, including its high-end Uber Black service as well as UberXL and UberX.

Ferguson, who played a pivotal role in the early days of Google’s self-driving initiative, expressed confidence in competing with the now well-established Waymo. He highlighted the lessons learned from his experience, stating, “The team is everything.” He believes that assembling a top-tier talent pool is essential for success in the fast-evolving autonomous sector.

The technological advancements Nuro is bringing to the table include a sensor stack that utilizes off-the-shelf, automotive-grade components, reducing costs significantly compared to competitors. Ferguson stated, “Even if the vehicle is not incredibly low-cost, it’s still very cost-effective.” This approach aims to ensure that Nuro’s robotaxis are not only affordable but also capable of meeting consumer expectations for quality and safety.

As Nuro prepares to deploy its robotaxis in the bustling city of San Francisco, the company aims to address key challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector, including fleet scaling and operational infrastructure. Through its collaboration with Uber and Lucid, Nuro hopes to establish a robust manufacturing and maintenance framework to support its ambitious rollout.

With Nuro’s innovative approach and Uber’s extensive reach, the partnership is poised to reshape the ride-hailing landscape, providing consumers with a new, efficient, and potentially less expensive option for transportation. As this story develops, all eyes will be on San Francisco to see how this collaboration unfolds and impacts the future of autonomous driving.

Stay tuned for more updates as Nuro and Uber work together to revolutionize the ride-hailing experience.