Similarly, Lucid's long-term value may be more related to services than manufacturing. Earlier this year, Peter Rawlinson, Lucid's outgoing CEO, stressed that the company's software and technology stack could eventually be licensed to other automakers worldwide. "I'd love it to be 20-80," Rawlinson said. "Twenty percent doing cars, 80% licensing."

With the ability to cover up to 450 miles on a single charge, the Gravity SUV is expected to function well as a robotaxi, since it will need less downtime for recharging. This way, vehicles will be available for riders more often. Tesla ’s own Model Y is being used as the brand’s robotaxi, but that has nowhere near the range of the Lucid Gravity.

Uber Technologies and Lucid Group team up to deploy 20,000 autonomous SUVs, marking a pivotal moment in AV tech. Click for more on UBER and LCID stock.

As of 10 a.m. ET, shares of Lucid are up 30.1%. Over the next six years, Uber plans on developing a fleet of 20,000 (or more) Lucid vehicles that will operate as robotaxis, which Uber will own and operate or its third-party fleet partners. Riders will have exclusive access to the robotaxi service through the Uber platform.

Lucid, which has always offered an array of driver-assistance features, is now expanding the suite of driver aids on its models with two new hands-free features. Perhaps it’s surprising that a luxury automaker is offering the tech after mass-market brands like Ford, but better late than never, right?

Lucid’s electric sedan can drive further, charge faster, and packs more advanced tech than most of the competition. That