upright news for those of us who ’ve had it withawkward Uber interactionsand shadowy driver : the ride - sharing titan and Volvo justannounced that they ’ve partneredon a $ 300 million programme to rise a fleet of autonomous , driverless cars . It ’s an ambitious plan for indisputable , but the two companies already seem to be make rapid procession – they ’ll be unleashinga pilot course of study in Pittsburghlater this calendar month .
The softwood stipulates that the two will work together on developing a foundation fomite that can be retrofitted with the recent and greatest automatic - driving technical school as it make headway . The cable car will be manufactured by Volvo , and then purchase by Uber . It ’s a blessing for both companies : Uber gets spiffy new vehicle to try out out the sheer and innovative ego - driving organization it ’s been iterating since 2015 , and Volvo beget a unspoiled glob of money to put towardfurthering its own autonomous - driving technologies .
If you make your living driving for Uber , it might be time to put feelers out for a new lance : the company ’s been middling upfront about its plans to finally replace its million - plus human drivers with a fully autonomous fleet . Its ultimate goal , according to CEO Travis Kalanick , is to make the roads safer for everybody , channelise to how self - take technical school can help eliminate some of the million - plus deaths do by car accidents every twelvemonth . " Volvo is a loss leader in fomite developing and best in division when it come to safety . By combining the capabilities of Uber and Volvo we will get to the futurity faster , together , " he say .
Courtesy of Volvo
According to Bloomberg , 100 of Uber ’s new self - driving vehicle – change Volvo XC90 SUVs – will hit the streets of Pittsburgh beginning next calendar month . They ’re not fully autonomous , but will rather have professionally groom human " engine driver " behind the cycle ready to take control condition when necessary , and a co - pilot program in the front passenger seat aim greenback . Each of these cars will also be equipped with cameras and computer recording every little contingent . Oh , and if you pass to be one of the lucky Pittsburgh Uber riders whose requested whip is part of the ego - driving psychometric test fleet , your ride is free . You ’ll have to wait a while before hitching a ride home in an entirely driverless Uber – as Bloomberg is also report that the Volvo spate put it on track to get a fully autonomous vehicle quick for the road by 2021 .
Of course , this is n’t the first time a major automaker has teamed up with a ride - sharing service . In January , GM invested half a billion clam in Lyft , announcing a partnership it take will ultimately ask developing a net of ego - get cars .
We may all be comfy hopping in the back of random people ’s car these sidereal day , but will you be down to hurtle through the streets in a 2 - ton tank with no one behind the roulette wheel ?
Courtesy of Volvo
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Courtesy of Volvo