Nuro gets permission to test without driving before the launch of the Uber robotaxi service

Nuro has been granted permission to begin testing self-driving Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with its autonomous technology on public roads in California – vehicles that will eventually be used by Uber’s flagship robotics service. But the Silicon Valley-based startup, backed by Nvidia and Uber, says it’s not ready to launch.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles, the agency that regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the state, confirmed to TechCrunch on Tuesday that it has changed Nuro’s driverless AV license to include Lucid Gravity vehicles.

Nuro held a driver’s license for six years, but only applied for a low-speed delivery vehicle — a plan that was terminated when the startup changed its business model to focus on licensing its technology to companies like Uber.

This latest driving permit allows Nuro to test Lucid vehicles without a human safety operator behind the wheel. Nuro spokesman David Salguero told TechCrunch that the company expects to begin self-driving tests later this year, without giving further details about the timing.

The driver’s license is one of the many regulatory hurdles Nuro must clear before Uber can launch its flagship robot service. Nuro will also need to obtain a driverless ride permit from the California Public Utilities Commission and a dispatch permit from the DMV.

Currently, Nuro and Uber are testing Lucid vehicles in autonomous mode with a human safety operator in the driver’s seat. Last month, that test was expanded to allow Uber employees to request autonomous rides with the Lucid robot — with a human safety operator on board — through the Uber app.

As Nuro makes progress in testing, Uber has increased its commitment to Lucid.

When the three-way deal was announced in July 2025, Uber said it would invest $300 million in Lucid and buy 20,000 Gravity-ready vehicles. That has been expanded to $500 million and a minimum of 35,000 robotaxis, with the deal changing to include at least 10,000 Gravity SUVs and 25,000 EVs built in Lucid’s upcoming mid-size fleet.

Those EVs will be equipped with Nuro’s autonomous vehicle system, powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor computer. The Lucid Gravity robotaxi, unveiled in January, is equipped with high-definition cameras, robust lidar sensors, and radars that help the self-driving system see the real-world environment and operate within it.

Uber also made a multi-billion dollar investment in Nuro.

Lucid has delivered 75 engineering vehicles to Nuro and Uber and collection testing and mileage is underway in several cities across the United States, the EV maker said during its first-quarter earnings call Tuesday.

Lucid said Tuesday it is on track for commercial robotaxi operations to begin in late 2026. It is possible that those robotaxi operations will not have a driver or will be limited in some other way, depending on the regulatory approval.

Still, Lucid executives struck a positive tone during the call, noting that all development and certifications are proceeding as expected.