Uber has announced the launch of a new division called Uber Autonomous Solutions, aimed at supporting the operations of autonomous vehicle (AV) businesses, including robotaxis, self-driving trucks, and sidewalk delivery robots. This move signals Uber’s strategic shift towards becoming a key player in the autonomous vehicle industry by offering comprehensive software and support services to AV technology companies.
The initiative consolidates Uber’s efforts in autonomous technology development, showcasing partnerships with nearly two dozen AV tech firms spanning various applications. Uber has not only invested in these companies but also initiated projects like building autonomous vehicle charging stations and establishing specialized engineering teams to accelerate the development of AV technologies.
By providing operational support encompassing demand generation, customer service, and fleet management, Uber aims to enable AV tech companies to focus on software development and expedite the deployment of autonomous solutions. The company’s goal is to help partners reduce operational costs and accelerate market entry, with plans to expand robotaxi services to over 15 cities by the end of the year.
Source: TechCrunch