Uber is bringing robotaxi service to Houston

Driving the news: Uber, Nuro and Lucid announced Wednesday that Houston will be the second market for the robotaxi service after a launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year. Service is expected to expand to dozens of additional markets in the coming years.

• Riders will be able to hail the robotaxis through the Uber app.
• Uber has secured a 50,000-square-foot depot facility in downtown Houston and a dedicated charging pitstop in the city, with construction expected to begin in early 2027.

Between the lines: Uber is bringing more than a decade of data on pickup and drop-off locations, while Nuro brings autonomous driving technology. Nuro has been testing in Houston since 2019.

• Nuro's testing includes real-world Houston conditions including rain, storms and debris on roads, James Owens, Nuro's chief legal and policy officer, tells Axios.

• The companies did not respond to Axios' questions about the planned robotaxi operating area or depot location.

Zoom in: The Lucid Gravity robotaxis will offer five- and seven-seat options.

• The vehicles have a roof-mounted "halo" that integrates Nuro's technology to detect surroundings and sensors throughout the car.

By the numbers: Nearly 100 Lucid Gravity robotaxis are already being tested in California and Texas.