Uber has announced a new customized robot taxi model, expected to be integrated into the company's global ride-hailing platform, starting in San Francisco, where Uber shares the market with Google's rival Waymo.
Uber's robot taxi model is developed through cooperation with self-driving driving technology company Nuro and electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid, using a platform supported by Nvidia's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Previously, Uber and Nvidia announced an alliance to deploy 100,000 robot taxis, expected to start in 2027.
Robotaxi Lucid Gravity is capable of carrying 6 passengers and is designed for a private compartment experience for Uber. This car model has been displayed at Nvidia's showroom in the Fontainebleau resort, Las Vegas. The Gravity electric car is equipped with interactive screens, allowing passengers to adjust seat heating, air conditioning, music, contact support teams or request the car to stop.
Uber said that the roadside robot taxi test started last month, with the presence of drivers in the driver's seat to ensure safety. Uber's robot taxi service is scheduled to launch at the end of this year, provided it receives approval from regulators in California.
Mr. Sarfraz Maredia, head of global self-driving mobility at Uber, affirmed that the company is proud to cooperate with Lucid and Nuro to bring a modern robot taxi model to the market in the near future.
Currently, Uber has allowed users in some cities in the US to call robot taxis operated by Waymo. The Waymo car fleet in the San Francisco area is estimated at more than 800 units, increasingly attracting the attention of people and tourists. Waymo plans to expand the service to a total of 10 cities in the US in the coming months, and deploy it in London.
In addition, Amazon's Zoox has also begun offering driverless car services in some areas of San Francisco through a limited testing program.
