Share

Uber readies self-drive fleet

Johannesburg - Cab-hailing app Uber will allow users in Pittsburgh, US, to summon an autonomous car from their smartphone later this month.

Travis Kalanick, Uber CEO and co-founder, made the announcement of the company’s partnership with Swedish car maker Volvo for their project to transport Uber users in driverless vehicles.

READ: How to check your Uber passenger rating

Kalanick also announced that Uber had acquired Otto – a technology start-up “whose mission is to rethink transportation, starting with self-driving trucks”.

“Together, we now have one of the strongest autonomous engineering groups in the world; self-driving trucks and cars that are already on the road thanks to Otto and Uber’s Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh,” Kalanick said on the Uber website.

"Anthony Levandowski, Otto’s co-founder, will now lead our combined self-driving efforts reporting directly to Kalanick - across personal transportation, delivery and trucking - in San Francisco, Palo Alto and Pittsburgh."

Much like local Uber promotions which saw rides with celebrities and electric sports car pick-ups, the lucky few who do manage to get a driverless vehicle in Pittsburgh will get their ride free of charge.

READ: Here's how to boost your Uber passenger star rating

Each self-driving vehicle is expected to have two drivers when the service commences, ready to take over the wheel in case of a mishap.

The vehicles - Volvo XC90 SUVs - will be kitted with cameras, GPS, radars and lasers; a total of 100 are expected to be operational in the Pittsburgh fleet by year-end.

“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,” Kalanick said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.6%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.53
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
894.10
-0.3%
Palladium
996.00
-0.6%
Gold
2,196.05
+0.1%
Silver
24.45
-0.8%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
67,848
+0.3%
All Share
74,067
+0.2%
Resource 10
56,251
+1.1%
Industrial 25
103,518
+0.2%
Financial 15
16,466
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders