Uber to integrate its self-driving technology alongside Toyota Guardian technology in purpose-built vehicles for deployment on Uber’s ride-sharing network
Toyota Motor Corporation and Uber Technologies have announced that they have agreed to expand their collaboration with the aim of advancing and bringing to market autonomous ride-sharing as a mobility service at scale.
To accomplish this, technology from each company will be integrated into purpose-built Toyota vehicles to be deployed on Uber’s ride-sharing network.
Separately, Toyota is investing US$500 million/£388 million in the company.
“Combining efforts with Uber, one of the predominant global ride-sharing and automated driving R&D companies, could further advance future mobility,” said Shigeki Tomoyama, Executive Vice President, TMC, and President, Toyota Connected Company.
“This agreement and investment marks an important milestone in our transformation to a mobility company as we help provide a path for safe and secure expansion of mobility services like ride-sharing that includes Toyota vehicles and technologies.”
As the company and Toyota look ahead to a self-driving future, this partnership will be critical in realising self-driving technology at scale. Both companies anticipate that the mass-produced autonomous vehicles will be owned and operated by mutually agreed upon third party autonomous fleet operators.
“The deal is the first of its kind for the company, and signals our commitment to bringing world-class technologies to our network,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO.
“Our goal is to deploy the world’s safest self-driving cars on the company’s network, and this agreement is another significant step towards making that a reality. Our advanced technology and Toyota’s commitment to safety and its renowned manufacturing prowess make this partnership a natural fit. I look forward to seeing what our teams accomplish together.”
The initial “Autono-MaaS” (autonomous-mobility as a service) fleet will be based on Toyota’s Sienna Minivan platform. The company’s Autonomous Driving System and the Toyota Guardian automated safety support system will both be integrated into the Autono-MaaS vehicles.
Toyota will also utilise its Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), its core information infrastructure for connected vehicles. Pilot-scale deployments will begin on the ride-sharing network in 2021.
“Uber’s automated driving system and Toyota’s Guardian system will independently monitor the vehicle environment and real-time situation, enhancing overall vehicle safety for both the automated driver and the vehicle,” said Dr Gill Pratt, Toyota Research Institute CEO and TMC Fellow.
“We look forward to this partnership accelerating both companies’ development and deployment of automated driving technology.”
