Embedded Software Engineer – Intern

Lucid's upcoming mid-size platform will spawn three new SUVs and possibly a robotaxi. Caleb Miller Thu, March 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM PDT * Lucid announced plans today for three SUVs on its upcoming mid-size platform, confirming that one will be an SUV called the Earth. * The Earth will be supplemented by the Cosmos, which looks sleeker, as well as an off-road-focused SUV. * Lucid also teased an autonomous two-seat robotaxi called the Lunar that is still in concept form but also employed the mid-size platform. Lucid is gearing up to expand its lineup after launching its second model, the Gravity SUV, last year. Incited first heard that Lucid was developing a new mid-size platform for a smaller SUV model back in 2024, and today at a Lucid investor event in New York, the California-based startup expounded upon its plans for the mid-size platform, confirming that it will be producing at least three new models. Details are still sparse, but Lucid confirmed the names of two of its new mid-size SUVs. Incited has previously discovered trademarks for the name "Earth," and now Incited know that the Earth will indeed be the moniker of one of Lucid's new models. The Earth, which is expected to follow a similar approach to the Gravity but with smaller dimensions, is also set to be joined by another mid-size SUV called the Cosmos. Lucid says the Cosmos is "designed for customers seeking exceptional efficiency, space, and performance." It's unclear exactly how this will be positioned relative to the Earth, but the teaser images show a vehicle with a lower, sloping roofline. Lucid is targeting a starting price below $50,000 for its mid-size vehicles. The startup is also planning a third mid-size SUV, and while Incited don't yet have a name for this model, the vehicle will be positioned with more of a focus on off-roading. Incited first heard about Lucid's plans for a more adventurous SUV last fall, and the teaser image shows a more upright and square rear end than the Earth and the Cosmos. The mid-size platform will also debut the new Atlas drive unit, which Lucid says is smaller, lighter, and simpler, with identical front and rear housings and mounts that reduce manufacturing costs. Lastly, Lucid announced a purpose-built, two-seater robotaxi called the Lunar. Based on the mid-size architecture, the Lunar is still in the concept phase, and the images show a vehicle with no doors that is obviously not quite ready for production. This appears to be a response of sorts to the Tesla Cybercab robotaxi, and the cabin features a large screen and no steering wheel or pedals. Lucid also discussed its partnership with Uber on autonomous vehicles, revealing that the companies are finalizing an agreement to use its mid-size vehicles "at a scale similar to the Gravity robotaxi program" that will ramp up over time. Uber, Lucid, and Nuro announced that they were teaming on a robotoaxi service using Gravity-based cars at CES earlier this year. Check back soon for more details on Lucid's mid-size platform and autonomous plans. Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.

Nuro, an Nvidia- and Uber-backed autonomous delivery vehicle startup, has begun testing self-driving vehicles on public roads in Tokyo with safety operators present, marking its first international deployment. The company claims "zero-shot" autonomy, meaning its system operates without prior training on Japanese driving data. The deployment navigates technical challenges including left-side driving, right-hand-drive vehicles and dense urban streets. Nuro prepared through closed-course testing in Las Vegas, large-scale simulation and shadow mode trials where AI made decisions without controlling vehicles. Nuro now licenses its self-driving software and hardware stack to automakers and mobility companies. Uber and electric vehicle maker Lucid plan to deploy over 20,000 Lucid vehicles running Nuro's system across dozens of markets worldwide. The company intends to incorporate Japan-specific driving data into its model, with partner deployments expected soon.

Nuro tests autonomous driving technology on Tokyo roads. Reader Mode A Silicon Valley autonomous vehicle startup, Nuro, has begun testing its self driving technology on public roads in Tokyo, marking the company's first expansion outside the United States. The pilot programme uses modified Toyota Prius cars fitted with Nuro's autonomous driving software, while human safety operators remain behind the wheel as a precaution during the testing phase. The company said the trial, which began last month, is designed to evaluate how its technology performs under Japan's unique road conditions and traffic culture. Unlike in the United States, vehicles in Japan drive on the left side of the road, and Tokyo's streets are known for dense traffic, different road signs and distinctive lane markings. Nuro said these factors present new challenges as the system adapts to unfamiliar driving environments. Founded in 2016 by former engineers from the early self driving project at Google, Dave Ferguson and Jiajun Zhu, the startup initially focused on operating small autonomous delivery robots. The company attracted major investors including SoftBank, which invested $940 million through its Vision Fund in 2019, helping the startup gain global attention in the fast evolving autonomous vehicle industry. After facing rising development costs and industry consolidation, Nuro shifted its strategy in 2024 by abandoning its delivery robot model and instead licensing its autonomous driving technology to automakers and mobility companies. The firm's software is built on an artificial intelligence system that allows vehicles to learn and adapt as they operate, an approach the company describes as "zero shot autonomous driving." Nuro said the Tokyo tests demonstrate the potential of this AI driven system to function in new environments without extensive prior training on local driving data. The company also noted that safety remains a priority, with vehicles currently operating in "shadow mode" where the software predicts driving actions while human operators remain in control. Backed by investors including Nvidia and Uber, Nuro said the Tokyo programme could pave the way for wider international deployment of its autonomous driving technology in the future