Toyota-Uber partnership to take autonomous vehicles to larger scale
03/09/2018
Separately, Toyota is investing $500 million in Uber.
Toyota described its partnership with Uber as “critical” in achieving scale in self-driving technology. It spoke of transforming Toyota into “a mobility company”.
For his part, Uber chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, said his company’s aimis to use the safest self-driving vehicles in the world on its network. “This agreement is another significant step towards making that a reality,” he said.
Initially, the partnership will bring about a fleet the two companies are calling ‘Autono-MaaS’ (autonomous mobility as a service). It will be based on Toyota’s Sienna minivan platform. Uber’s Autonomous Driving System and the Toyota Guardian automated safety support system will both be integrated into the Autono-MaaS vehicles.
Pilot-scale deployments will begin in the Uber ride-sharing network in 2021.
Image shows Dara Khosrowshahi (left) with Toyota executive vice-president Shigeki Tomoyama.
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