The Uber Logo pictured May 2019 outside at the NYSE before the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City. On Wednesday, Uber officials said it will launch its driver-less service “later next year” in the San Francisco Bay region in its collaboration with EV producer Lucid Motors and self-driver tech firm Nuro. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 29 (UPI) — Uber said Wednesday that autonomous taxi services is on the way in the San Francisco area.
Company officials said the ride-sharing conglomerate will launch its driverless service “later next year” in the San Francisco Bay region in its collaboration with EV producer Lucid Motors and self-driving tech firm Nuro.
“The Bay Area has long been the birthplace of transformative technology, and it’s only fitting that Uber’s next-generation robotaxi program with Lucid and Nuro will begin here — launching to the public next year,” according to Uber’s chief product officer, Sachin Kansal.
Lucid and Nuro plan to have around 100 robo taxis in coming months with Uber’s goal to deploy around 20,000 over the next six years.
“By combining deep expertise in electric vehicles, autonomy and ridehailing, we’re laying the groundwork for safe and scalable autonomous rides in the Bay Area and beyond,” added Kansal in a statement.
Over the summer, Uber said its new feature will allow women passengers and drivers to avoid being paired with men on the ride-sharing app in a push to enhance safety.
But a specific launch date for next year’s robot taxi unveiling has yet to be revealed.
It puts it in direct competition with U.S.-based driverless taxi pioneer Waymo that tested recently its new Jaguar-brand taxis in New York.