Uber is advancing towards providing rides without a driver present.

The company has recently introduced a new autonomous taxi and announced that testing of these self-driving vehicles has commenced on public streets in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although the vehicle was first showcased earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026, the more significant development is unfolding post-event.

These autonomous taxis are no longer limited to demonstrations or controlled environments. They are navigating through actual traffic as Uber gears up for a public rollout later this year.

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PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES MAY TRANSFORM RIDE-SHARING

Uber’s latest robotaxi is functioning on public streets in the San Francisco Bay Area as the company edges closer to introducing entirely driverless rides later this year. (Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Uber is a brand widely recognized by commuters. However, two collaborators manage the technology behind the scenes. Lucid Group manufactures the all-electric vehicle, which is based on the Lucid Gravity SUV designed for long-distance efficiency and passenger comfort. Nuro supplies the self-driving technology and leads testing and safety assurance. Together, these three firms are creating a robotaxi service that will be available exclusively through Uber.

Testing of autonomous vehicles commenced last month in the Bay Area. These evaluations occur on public roadways as opposed to private tracks. Nuro manages the testing with trained safety personnel overseeing each journey. The emphasis is on typical driving scenarios, including intersections, lane changes, traffic signals, and pedestrians. This phase is crucial, allowing engineers to assess how the system performs in real-world conditions before offering rides to the public.

Uber's robotaxi has been designed from the outset to function without a driver. It merges electric vehicle design with visible autonomous features that passengers can comprehend.

Notable characteristics encompass:

The robotaxi operates on high-performance computing supported by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor. This technology manages the real-time AI processing necessary for self-driving functions.

A distinguishing aspect is transparency. Passengers can observe how the robotaxi interprets the road and formulates its next actions. The display reveals lane changes, yielding behaviors, deceleration at traffic signals, and the planned drop-off location. This transparency aids riders in understanding the vehicle's operations rather than speculating. Within the cabin, passengers can adjust seat heating, climate settings, and audio. They can also reach out to support or request the vehicle to stop if necessary.

CAN DRIVERLESS TRUCKS TRULY ENHANCE HIGHWAY SAFETY?

The completely electric Uber robotaxi, created in collaboration with Lucid and Nuro, is presently maneuvering through live traffic without a human operator. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images)

Uber intends to roll out over 20,000 robotaxis in the next six years, operating in various U.S. and international markets. Lucid will integrate all essential hardware directly at its Casa Grande, Arizona facility. Uber will own and manage the vehicles along with partnerships with third-party fleets. Every robotaxi ride will be scheduled via the Uber app, similar to a typical Uber trip.

Safety is paramount in this launch. Nuro's validation process combines simulation, closed-course assessments, and supervised public road testing. The system is built on an end-to-end AI foundational model paired with clear safety protocols. The aim is to achieve predictable, comfortable driving across diverse conditions. Uber and its partners are also collaborating with regulators, policymakers, and local authorities to ensure the service meets public safety requirements and urban planning objectives.

Uber has stated that the first autonomous rides will commence in a major U.S. city later in 2026, exclusively available through the Uber app. Production of the robotaxi is anticipated to start later this year, subject to final validation.

If you use Uber, driverless rides may soon be an option. These vehicles might provide quieter journeys, more consistent driving patterns, and better availability during peak times. For cities, a shared electric robotaxi fleet could aid in lowering emissions and reducing traffic congestion. For passengers, witnessing how the vehicle thinks and responds may ease apprehensions about autonomous travel.

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CES 2026 SHOWSTOPPERS: 10 GADGETS NOT TO BE MISSED

Uber confirms that autonomous testing has started after revealing its robotaxi at CES 2026, marking a significant milestone towards a public introduction. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images)

Uber's robotaxi initiative appears more tangible than many previous autonomous claims. It merges a recognized ride-hailing platform, a specifically designed electric vehicle, and a self-driving system that is already functioning on public roads. If testing continues to progress, the arrival of driverless Uber rides could transition from a novel concept to a commonplace reality sooner than anticipated.

Would you enter an Uber if there was no driver present in the front seat? Share your thoughts with us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an acclaimed tech journalist with a profound passion for technology, gadgets, and innovations that enhance daily life, contributing to Fox News & FOX Business during the mornings on "FOX & Friends." Have a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, express your opinion, a story idea, or comments at CyberGuy.com.