Uber Collaborates with AI Company to Advance Self-Driving Car Technology

Uber has joined forces with the British AI firm Wayve to pioneer self-driving vehicles. The ride-hailing giant plans to collaborate with car manufacturers to implement the AI technology of the London-based startup. This partnership aims to introduce Level 4 autonomous capabilities in vehicles that will eventually operate on Uber's global network. Currently, there is no information on which original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will be part of this initiative.

Level 4 automation, defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, refers to vehicles being fully in control of driving under specific circumstances or in designated areas. As part of this collaboration, Uber will also make a strategic investment in Wayve, although the exact funding amount remains undisclosed. This investment builds upon Wayve's recent $1.05 billion series C funding round earlier in the year, led by SoftBank from Japan.

Wayve intends to utilize the funding from Uber to expedite its work with global OEMs in equipping consumer vehicles with driver assistance features at Level 2+ and conditional automation capabilities at Level 3. The company's emphasis on Embodied AI sets it apart from other players in the autonomous vehicle industry. Wayve's Embodied AI technology integrates advanced AI into vehicles and robots, enabling them to understand and learn from human behavior in real-world settings without relying on maps, allowing them to operate beyond geofenced areas.

One of Wayve's recent accomplishments includes Europe's largest autonomous urban grocery delivery pilot in West London. The company's CEO, Alex Kendall, envisions a future where their Universal driving AI can empower various levels of autonomous driving in any vehicle globally. Partnering with Uber, the world's largest mobility network, will enable Wayve to enhance its AI technology through fleet learning, preparing it for safe deployment across Uber's expansive network.

For Uber, this partnership signifies a significant stride in their commitment to autonomous technology. In recent months, Uber has demonstrated its focus on self-driving tech, including partnerships with Cruise and BYD to deploy autonomous vehicles on its network. Noteworthy collaborations with Waymo, Motional, and initiatives like autonomous food deliveries through Uber Eats underscore Uber's dedication to the autonomous future.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO, lauds Wayve's advanced Embodied AI approach as holding great promise in the transition towards shared, electric, and autonomous vehicles. By welcoming Wayve as a strategic partner, Uber looks forward to collaborating with automotive manufacturers to solidify its position as a premier network for self-driving vehicles.