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ÌýThe Lucid Gravity SUVs are outfitted with Nuro’s self-driving technology. (Lucid via X)

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Uber Technologies Inc. is preparing to offer driverless rides on vehicles developed by Lucid Group Inc. and Nuro Inc.Ìýin the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time next year,Ìýthrusting the company into directÌýcompetition with Waymo’s robotaxi service.

Road testing of the vehicles —ÌýLucid Gravity SUVs outfitted with Nuro’s self-driving technology —Ìýis currently underway with drivers manually operating them, a Nuro spokesperson said. The first cars in the test fleet wereÌýdeliveredÌýin September, and the number will grow toÌýmore than a hundred in the coming months, according to an Uber statement.

The cars that are eventually used for public ride-hailing will be separate from this test fleet, according to an Uber spokesperson, who said more details on the operationÌýand the customer experience will be provided closer to the launch next year.

Uber Freight ranks No. 14Ìýon theÌýTransport Topics Top 100 list of the largest logistics companiesÌýin North America.Ìý

It all starts here 🌉

The San Francisco Bay Area will be the first market for the -exclusive robotaxi, powered by and Lucid, aiming to launch in late 2026.

On-road development is underway — with 100+ Nuro-driven Lucid Gravitys joining soon as we advance the future of… — Lucid Motors (@LucidMotors)

The move is a step toward Uber challenging Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo, whose driverless taxis have become ubiquitous in San Francisco. The two companies currently work together toÌýprovideÌýWaymo rides on the Uber app in Austin,Ìý´¡³Ù±ô²¹²Ô³Ù²¹Ìýand Phoenix, but Waymo offers its own service in major urban markets like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Next year, Waymo will expand its service toÌýMiami, ³¢´Ç²Ô»å´Ç²ÔÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýWashington.

Uber, meanwhile, has struck more than a dozen deals with robotaxi developers in the past year —Ìýa bet on aÌýfuture where autonomous vehicles and human drivers complement each other on its platform. That push has included investing hundreds of millions of dollars in both Lucid and Nuro.

It announced on Oct. 28 that it is setting a goal toÌýeventuallyÌýhave a fleet of 100,000 autonomous vehicles powered by Nvidia Corp. technology, with theÌýexpansion starting in 2027.ÌýThat includes 20,000ÌýLucid-Nuro robotaxis it committed in July to purchase and operate with its partners in San Francisco and other markets over six years.

Uber will have some catching up to do in San Francisco, the city where it’s based. Waymo has worked to expand its service beyond the city into the South Bay area in theÌýpast year. It has also secured permissions to offer its services at theÌýSan FranciscoÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýSan JoseÌýairports —Ìýtransit hubs that are a major source of business for any ride-hailing service.

Nuro currently has driverless testing and deployment permits in parts of the SouthÌýBay, according toÌýthe websiteÌýof the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. But it doesn’t yet haveÌýthe necessary permitsÌýto be able to operate the Lucid vehiclesÌýwithout a driver in San Francisco. It also lacks permissionÌýfrom the California Public Utilities Commission to carryÌýpassengers.

The Nuro spokesperson said the companyÌýand its partners will obtain all required permits as the testing progresses, similar to its prior deployments.

Uber said in its statement that the company has been updating policymakers and regulators at the local, state and federal levels on its progress and continues to meet their requirements for operation.