--- title: "Hertz Jumps From AI Scanners to Robotaxis With Uber Partnership" date: "2026-05-04" modified: "2026-05-04" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hertz-jumps-from-ai-scanners-to-robotaxis-with-uber-partnership" categories: - "Car Tech" - "News" - "Self-Driving Tech" tags: - "gravity" - "Lucid" - "suv/crossover" --- # Hertz Jumps From AI Scanners to Robotaxis With Uber Partnership ![Lucid, Nuro, and Uber unveil a robotaxi during Nvidia Live at CES 2026 ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2026.]() *\Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images\* [Hertz]() has been hard at work over the last several years to modernize its business. That has come with some growing pains, particularly for some customers who have interacted with [its AI inspection scanners](). But, undeterred, it's now forging on into the domain of autonomous ridesharing services, introducing a new subsidiary called Oro Mobility that is partnering with Uber. [This *Quartz* story]() on the announcement, which almost reads like one of those memes about the [deluge of nonsense streaming services]() or [B2B apps](), says that Oro will be tasked with "the operational upkeep of Uber's autonomous robotaxi program," which involves Lucid cars running a self-driving hardware and software stack from Nuro. However, until the autonomous side of things truly gets off the ground, Oro will also field a fleet of drivers it has employed that will be accessible through Uber. That service is already running in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and is scheduled to kick off in New Jersey before the summer. ![Lucid Gravity rear end.]() *Uber will be deploying Lucid Gravity electric SUVs powered by Nuro's autonomous driving technology, and Hertz's Oro business will handle the service and upkeep. *Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images** This all happens as Uber has become a major investor in Lucid, now owning 11% of the company. [Last month](), Uber committed to the purchase of "at least" 35,000 Gravity SUVs; to date, Uber has poured half a billion dollars into the luxury EV maker. But, back to Hertz. As far as what "operational upkeep" describes, the rental giant said in a [statement]() that Oro will be "providing day-to-day vehicle asset management, including charging, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and depot staffing." As easy as it is to get cynical about big corporations profiting off the gig economy, the move makes sense for Hertz; the way people interact with vehicles on an ownership and needs basis is changing, which means its business model also needs to keep up. Hertz has tried to pivot into new territory in a few ways since the start of the decade, like when it bulk-bought Tesla and Polestar EVs only to unceremoniously sell many of them off, leading to [potentially great deals]() for shrewd buyers. However, [as *TechCrunch* notes](), Hertz isn't the first player in its space that has shown up to the autonomous ridesharing party, as Avis made headlines last year for a similar deal with Google-affiliated Waymo. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()