The future of transportation is rolling into San Francisco, and it looks like a sleek, electric SUV with no driver. Uber is preparing to launch its autonomous vehicle service in late 2026, partnering with Lucid Motors and Nuro to introduce a cutting-edge robotaxi that could revolutionize how Bay Area residents commute.

The new service will feature over 100 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s advanced autonomous technology. These vehicles aren’t just any electric cars - they’re specifically optimized for ride-sharing, with an impressive 450-mile battery range that means more time picking up passengers and less time charging.

Nuro, a Mountain View-based tech startup founded by two former Waymo employees, is making its first major leap into passenger transportation. Previously focused on delivery robots, the company is now licensing its autonomous driving technology to enter the competitive robotaxi market.

The Bay Area’s autonomous vehicle landscape is rapidly evolving. Waymo and Tesla have been leading the charge, with Zoox recently beginning limited service in select San Francisco neighborhoods. This new Uber partnership represents another significant step towards widespread autonomous transportation.

Public perception of self-driving vehicles has shifted dramatically. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of San Francisco voters now support fully autonomous vehicles, a substantial increase from just a couple of years ago. This growing acceptance suggests that robotic transportation is no longer a distant sci-fi dream but an imminent reality.

Currently, Nuro holds permits to operate autonomous vehicles in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The company is also seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to launch a pilot program with safety drivers, a typical first step in autonomous vehicle deployment.

As the robotaxi wars heat up, Bay Area residents can look forward to a future where getting a ride might mean stepping into a vehicle with no human behind the wheel - a testament to the region’s ongoing technological innovation.