Volvo and Uber to develop next-generation autonomous cars
Volvo and Uber are set to team up in a £228 million project that intends to develop autonomous driving cars, Fleet News reports.
In the agreement, Volvo will be responsible for developing new base vehicles while Uber will provide the latest technology in autonomous driving.
Uber chose to partner up with the Swedish carmaker because of its well-known focus on safety.
Volvo have agreed to manufacture the base vehicles, which will then be purchased by Uber who will install its own in-house system into the car.Working from the same base vehicle, reports suggest that Volvo also aims to develop autonomous car technologies and systems. The base vehicle will be the new XC90, the S90 saloon and V90 estate.
Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, commented: "We are very proud to be the partner of choice for Uber, one of the world's leading technology companies. This alliance places Volvo at the heart of the current technological revolution in the automotive industry."
In a statement, Travis Kalanick, Uber's chief executive, added: "Over one million people die in car accidents every year. These are tragedies that self-driving technology can help solve, but we can't do this alone. That's why our partnership with a great manufacturer like Volvo is so important. By combining the capabilities of Uber and Volvo we will get to the future faster, together."
The first customers to trial the new self-driving cars will be Uber customers in Pittsburgh. Drivers will remain behind the wheel but the pilot passengers will receive a free ride.
