Uber's total investment commitment to autonomous driving startup Nuro approaches $500 million, adopting a phased funding model where capital release is tied to Nuro achieving key development or commercial milestones. These include initiating road tests without safety drivers, piloting passenger services via the Uber app, and fully scaling operations by 2027. Currently, Nuro has met initial milestones and received its first tranche of funding. This investment forms the cornerstone of a strategic tripartite collaboration between Uber, Nuro, and Lucid, with plans to jointly deploy up to 35,000 autonomous taxis. The fleet will utilize Lucid's Gravity SUV and planned mid-sized vehicles, equipped with Nuro's Level 4 autonomous driving software, and operate through Uber's global mobility network. Uber's move marks a strategic pivot from in-house autonomous technology development to becoming a neutral 'autonomous mobility aggregation platform.' By partnering with multiple tech firms, it aims to create a 'super app' for autonomous taxi services while employing an 'option-style' investment strategy to manage risks. For Nuro, this funding provides critical support for commercializing its technology. After a strategic shift in 2024, Nuro transitioned from manufacturing complete vehicles to licensing its proprietary autonomous driving software to automakers and mobility service providers. It has already secured permits for driverless testing and passenger transport in select California regions.