Uber is deploying its own self-driving cars again, just not as robotaxis

Source: The Verge

Overview

Uber is putting its own autonomous vehicles back on the road as part of its new AV Lab project. The goal is to collect data for the dozens of robotaxi partners that rely on Uber’s platform.

Details

• The pilot program starts with a single Hyundai Ioniq 5, though Uber says it is not committed to that specific model.
• Each vehicle will be equipped with the full suite of sensors typical of self‑driving cars, including cameras, lidar, and radar.
• Importantly, these cars will not operate as robotaxis; they will solely gather data to improve the performance of Uber’s partner fleets.

Background

Uber’s history with self‑driving technology has been turbulent. After a fatal crash involving one of its autonomous test vehicles in Tempe, Arizona, the company sold its AV division in 2020. Since then, Uber has shifted to a partnership model, working with external robotaxi operators rather than running its own fleet.

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Image credit: Balaji Krishnamurthy / X

Read the full story at The Verge.