Uber’s partnership with Wayve marks another milestone in the ride-hailing giant’s quest for autonomous driving technology. Wayve, a U.K.-based startup, has raised over $1.3 billion from major backers, including SoftBank Group, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The company has developed a self-learning AI system for autonomous driving, similar to Tesla’s approach, that doesn’t rely on lidar sensors but instead uses cameras and radar. This technology can be integrated into consumer vehicles, offering advanced driver assistance systems and even Level 3 and Level 4 automated driving capabilities.
While details about the partnership are limited, Wayve envisions its self-driving vehicles being made available on Uber’s network. The partnership will enable Wayve to accelerate its AI’s fleet learning, making its autonomous vehicle technology safer and ready for global deployment. Together, Wayve and Uber will also collaborate with automakers to bring autonomous driving technologies to consumers sooner.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, expressed excitement about Wayve’s AI approach, which holds promise for a future where modern vehicles are shared, electric, and autonomous. Uber has been actively positioning itself as an ideal partner for self-driving startups, as evidenced by its partnerships with Waymo and various autonomous delivery and freight companies. This strategic investment in Wayve further solidifies Uber’s commitment to becoming the leading network for self-driving vehicles.
The partnership between Uber and Wayve aligns with Uber’s recent announcement that Cruise’s robotaxis will join its app by 2025. This move signifies Uber’s ongoing efforts to secure autonomous driving technology partnerships and revolutionize the ride-hailing industry. While the specific timeline for Wayve-powered vehicles joining Uber’s app and the size of Uber’s investment remain undisclosed, this collaboration represents a significant step forward in the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles.
