Nuro, a self-driving vehicle company backed by NVIDIA, Toyota, and Uber, has received an updated permit from California's DMV to test its Lucid Gravity robotaxis on public roads. This marks a pivotal step in Uber's broader strategy to deploy 100,000 autonomous vehicles nationwide, with up to 35,000 utilizing Nuro's technology. The approval allows testing without human operators at speeds up to 45 mph in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, expanding beyond previous limited trials with safety drivers.

The Lucid Gravity, a three-row electric crossover unveiled at CES 2026, features advanced sensor systems including lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras, along with rider amenities like heated seats. Nuro's R3 delivery robot previously secured a DMV permit, signaling its growing role in autonomous logistics. Uber's $500 million investment in Nuro and a 75% increase in vehicle orders to 35,000 units underscore the partnership's scale. However, full commercial deployment will require additional permits for ride-hailing services.

This development aligns with industry trends toward driverless mobility solutions, though regulatory hurdles remain. Nuro's Tokyo trials with human backups highlight global testing efforts. While the companies aim for later-this-year launches, the DMV's conditions emphasize safety protocols. The collaboration between Uber and Nuro could reshape urban transportation, but widespread adoption depends on public trust and infrastructure readiness.

Key entities: Nuro, Uber, Lucid Gravity, California DMV. Critical figure: $500 million. Most important fact: Autonomous testing expansion to 45 mph without human drivers.