Uber’s self-driving car initiative has been in the dark for nearly two years now. After being announced early in 2015, and then announcing earlier this year that tests had begun in Pittsburgh, we haven’t heard much. Instead, the self-driving automobile segment of the industry has seen most of its attention diverted to Google and Tesla. But now, Uber is making its reemergence.
According to Bloomberg, Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick has revealed that the company is ready to add self-driving cars to its fleet of cars in Pittsburgh. The self-driving fleet is made up of specially modified Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicles that are outfitted with dozens of sensors that use cameras, lasers, radar, and GPS receivers. Each car will have a driver behind the wheel for supervision as well as a co-pilot who will take notes. Furthermore, a liquid-cooled computer in the back will record data about the trip. As a result, Uber will be the first company in the world to bring a self-driving car-sharing service to the market.
Of the 100 cars expected to be on the road by the end of the year, Volvo Cars has so far delivered a handful of vehicles. Both companies signed a pact earlier this year to spend $300 million to develop a fully autonomous car that will be ready for the road by 2021. However, it’s not the only deal Uber has made when it comes to self-driving cars. Uber have also acquired Otto, a start-up that promises to bring self-driving capabilities to trucks already on the road. The technology could hopefully be adapted to Uber’s existing fleet of non-autonomous cars, making them autonomous.
Furthermore, the Otto deal has some big names going with it. Otto was founded by former Googlers Claire Delaunay, Lior Ron, Don Burnette, and Anthony Levandowski. Levandowski led Google’s self-driving car efforts, Ron was an executive on Google Maps and Motorola, while other staff have spent time with other leading companies such as Apple and Tesla. Once the acquisition is finalised, Levandowski will lead Uber’s driverless car efforts. To aid in this effort, two R&D centres will open up.
Locally, Uber have finally expanded their payment model to include cash as well as credit card.
Source: Bloomberg
