Photo: Uber
It was this May at Re/code’s Code conference when Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said he likes idea of a future where self-driving cars would replace the company’s human-driven fleet. It now turns out that was not just a simple statement, but part of a higher scale plan that is already in the works.
Uber and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have confirmed yesterday earlier rumors that stated the company is creating a robotics research center in Pittsburgh, near the university’s campus. Dubbed the Uber Advanced Technologies Center, the giant ride sharing service claims it will focus on the development of key long-term technologies that “advance Uber’s mission of bringing safe, reliable transportation to everyone, everywhere”.
OK, but where’s the part that talks about autonomous vehicles that would eventually replace Uber’s fleet? Well, according to Tech Crunch, Uber is going to develop the main technology, the vehicles and associated infrastructure at this facility. Moreover, it would appear they have already hired a number of employees and made moves to outfit them with software.
In a blog post, the San Francisco-based company claims the deal will provide a forum for Uber technology leaders to work closely with CMU faculty, staff and students - both on campus and at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC). Their primary work will involve “research and development in the areas of mapping and vehicle safety and autonomy technology”.
“The agreement will also include funding from Uber for faculty chairs and graduate fellowships, recognizing and supporting Carnegie Mellon’s world-renowned faculty and attracting the best and brightest graduate students,” the statement reads. In other words, not only will they collaborate with the birghtest brains at the university, but Uber will also create new jobs while at it.
OK, but where’s the part that talks about autonomous vehicles that would eventually replace Uber’s fleet? Well, according to Tech Crunch, Uber is going to develop the main technology, the vehicles and associated infrastructure at this facility. Moreover, it would appear they have already hired a number of employees and made moves to outfit them with software.
In a blog post, the San Francisco-based company claims the deal will provide a forum for Uber technology leaders to work closely with CMU faculty, staff and students - both on campus and at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC). Their primary work will involve “research and development in the areas of mapping and vehicle safety and autonomy technology”.
“The agreement will also include funding from Uber for faculty chairs and graduate fellowships, recognizing and supporting Carnegie Mellon’s world-renowned faculty and attracting the best and brightest graduate students,” the statement reads. In other words, not only will they collaborate with the birghtest brains at the university, but Uber will also create new jobs while at it.
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