Therefore, Volvo will continue to work on its own autonomous tech separately from Uber, though they will both share the same underlying vehicle platforms. The vehicles will be incorporated by Uber into their own self-developed driving system with Volvo as the transport company’s technical partner.
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Uber’s imminent move to test its modified Volvo SUVs on Pittsburg streets will mark the first, fledgling effort aimed at commercializing self-driving vehicles which do not require a human driver to steer them.
“By combining Uber’s self-driving technology with Volvo’s state-of-the art vehicles and safety technology, we’ll get to the future faster than going it alone”, he added.
These new cars will be manufactured by Volvo and purchased by Uber.
SPA is now used on Volvo Cars’ XC90 sports-utility vehicle, as well as the S90 sedan and V90 estate.
In a statement Travis Kalanick, Uber’s CEO, said: “Over one million people die in vehicle accidents every year”.
“Self-driving cars have the potential to save millions of lives and improve quality of life for people around the world”. The company says, for now, the rides will be free of charge.
The partnership will give both Volvo and Uber a chance to contribute to the self-driving concept for consumers.
Interestingly, Kalanick bought Otto for its technology and not for its self-driving trucks.
Uber’s Chief Executive, Travis Kalanick said, “Over one million people die in auto accidents every year”.
That’s right, starting this fall, Uber is allowing its users to call for rides in autonomous vehicles.
The SPA makes sense, according to Volvo, it will “include all needed safety, redundancy, and new features required to have autonomous vehicles on the road”.
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By using human backup drivers, Uber is basically testing the technology and taking people along for the ride, said Bryant Walker Smith, a University of SC professor who studies self-driving technology.
