The Uber company announced a $300 million alliance with Volvo to supply vehicles and technology in a another deal. GOOGL, -0.33% that Uber is a viable player in autonomous technology, the commercial test is still a far cry from the ultimate goal of shuttling people around without human help.
Advertisement
If its ambitions are realized, these vehicles could over time reduce its biggest cost, paying drivers.
“To do it well is incredibly hard, as I realized on my first visit to a auto manufacturing plant several years ago”.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg News, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick revealed that the ride-hailing service, which completely revolutionized the transportation industry, will launch its first ever self-driving cars in Pittsburgh later this month.
It will be the first time that any automotive company has deployed hailable self-driving vehicles to carry passengers on the public road anywhere in the world. However, the vehicle will be overseen by a driver, who will steer the wheel if required, and an observer.
Recently, that valuation was about US$68 billion, placing the value of the deal at about US$680 million.
Uber opposes having its drivers categorized as employees, a more costly designation that would require it to pay payroll taxes and ensure that drivers earn at least the minimum wage. Not the regular Uber, but the self-driving Uber, and for while, it’ll be free.
In taking over the 90-person Otto, Uber said that Otto co-founder Anthony Levandowski will now lead Uber’s efforts to develop self-driving technology for personal driving, delivery and trucking.
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge Thursday struck down a proposed class-action settlement between Uber and a group of its current and former drivers, potentially continuing a protracted lawsuit that questioned a key tenet of the ride-hailing company’s business. The plan calls for their joint efforts to produce a “base car” that each company can use for developing and implementing their own autonomous vehicle technologies. The investment will be roughly shared equally by the two companies.
Advertisement
Uber will buy Volvos and then install its own driverless control system. It is a world leader in the development of active safety and autonomous driving technology, and possesses an unrivalled safety credibility. Volvo Cars and Uber are contributing a combined 300 million USA dollars to the project. Kalanick said the acquisition signals Uber’s intent to get into the movement of goods and freight.
