Uber Is Bringing Driverless Vehicles To Passengers In Pittsburgh
Uber passengers looking for rides in Pittsburgh will be able to call up self-driving cars later this month.
The ride-sharing unicorn—worth $62.5B—will test an unspecified number of autonomous Ford Fusions within the next several weeks. Uber’s self-driving lab is in Pittsburgh. The company has not announced plans to unveil these autonomous cars in any other markets, but company CEO Travis Kalanick (pictured) said Uber’s future will include driverless vehicles, Popular Mechanics reports.
“When there’s no other dude in the car, the cost of taking an Uber anywhere becomes cheaper than owning a vehicle,” he says. Travis added that by cutting costs, the industry can eventually eliminate vehicle ownership entirely.
The company also announced the acquisition of self-driving startup Otto, which develops tech for big rigs to drive themselves. The cost of the deal was not disclosed, but Otto’s tech will give Uber access to an infusion of self-driving expertise.
Uber is not alone in its efforts. Large tech and auto companies have been working to bring self-driving vehicles to the masses for a while now, and company leaders suggest these vehicles may be available within three to five years. [PM]
