Google may find it has competition in the development and production of self-driving cars, as Uber is planning to research the technology with Carnegie Mellon University. At the same time as the research plan announcement, reports claim that Google is exploring the possibility of its own competing ride-hailing app, though other sources seem to claim it to be an exaggeration.
A new lab called the Uber Advanced Technologies Center will be opening up in Pittsburgh, with research also said to be taking place at the National Robotics Engineering Center. The research and development taking place will primarily lie in the fields of mapping, vehicle safety, and autonomy technology, with all areas playing an important part in the creation of self-driving systems. The deal also includes funding from Uber for CMU faculty chairs and graduate fellowships.
While it may be unusual for Uber to research self-driving technology, CEO Travis Kalanick has suggested it could play a part in the company’s future to lower the cost of rides. Speaking to Recode last year, Kalanick explained “The reason Uber is expensive is not the car, it’s the other dude in the car. When there’s no dude in the car, the cost of taking the vehicle somewhere becomes cheaper than owning a vehicle.”
Before Uber can use self-driving technology, Google may enter the taxi services market. Bloomberg claims Google is working on its own ride-hailing service, which could work with its driverless car project in the future. An app has allegedly been developed by a Google engineer and is being used by other employees. It is suggested that Uber executives have seen screenshots of the app, and is debating whether to ask Google’s chief legal officer and senior vice president of corporate development David Drummond to leave the board.
The Wall Street Journal’s own sources claim the app was developed to help Google employees carpool to work, and that it is not connected to the driverless car program at all.
