Uber to deploy self-driving cars

Uber have confirmed that within the next fortnight app users will be able to hail self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Uber first revealed plans to use driverless vehicles two years ago however after teaming up with Volvo they have now made the plans a reality. To start with all vehicles will be supervised by a driver that will be able to take full control if necessary.

A spokeswoman for Uber told the BBC that this an ‘important milestone that no other automotive company has achieved to date’

She went on to explain, “In Pittsburgh, customers will request cars the normal way, via Uber’s app, and will be paired with a driverless car at random. Trips will be free for the time being, rather than the standard local rate of $1.30 [£0.98] per mile.”

The partners, Volvo have already sent a number of sensor-equipped XC90 sports utility vehicles to Uber for use in the trials. By the end of the year they are estimated to provide them with 100 in total.

Volvo has also given confirmation of the ‘joint project’ with Uber and provided some insight into project by stating “Both Uber and Volvo will use the same base vehicle for the next stage of their own autonomous car strategies,”

“This will involve Uber adding its own self-developed autonomous driving systems to the Volvo base vehicle.”

They also added that engineers from both firms will be collaborating on the project.

It has been noted that the deal with Volvo will not be exclusive and that Uber is making plans to work with other carmakers within the industry.

Uber is said to have invested a lot in its automated driving research programme however having raised over £7.5bn from its backers giving it plenty of financial scope at its disposal.

One caveat however – the “self-driving” Volvos picking up Uber users will still have a human in the driving seat as a supervisor. Even if Uber was confident enough in the technology to dispense with a human, neither Pittsburgh nor any other city is ready to adapt its regulations to allow completely autonomous driving.