Uber presented on Wednesday the new generation of an autonomous vehicle developed together with Volvo. Both companies had been working since September 2016 on the progress of autonomous driving, but the new software was designed so that a computer is the only one responsible for the journey. They promise that security has improved significantly thanks to the tests they have done in recent years.
Explicitly, the new variant of the XC90 incorporates braking, steering, and power backup system that will be activated if the primary autonomous system presents a problem. It is even possible to stop the vehicle completely. Eric Meyhofer, CEO of Uber Advanced Technologies Group, said that working with Volvo is “a key partnership to effectively build a safe, scalable and autonomous fleet.”
The intention of Uber is that the 100% autonomous technology allows them to offer car-sharing without a driver. In fact, its plan is to start a robotaxis service that will make use of the new vehicle.
For its part, the Swedish automaker says they will use this system as the basis of its autonomous technology, which we will see integrated into Volvo vehicles that will be presented at the beginning of 2020.
Volvo Cars believes that autonomous driving can generate important road safety benefits for society in general when all cars are autonomous
In addition, the vehicle is equipped with key safety elements that allow Uber to easily install its own autonomous driving system, allowing the potential launch of autonomous cars within the Uber network as a shared and autonomous transport service. In addition to Volvo’s integrated backup systems, a series of sensors inside the roof of the vehicle will allow Uber’s autonomous driving system to operate and maneuver safely in urban environments.
