Uber driverless cars in Pittsburgh, where its research base is headquarted
Credit: AP
“Few technologies hold as much promise to improve people’s lives with safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation as self-driving vehicles,” Mr Khosrowshahi said. “For the last five years, our phenomenal team at ATG has been at the forefront of this effort — and in joining forces with Aurora, they are now in pole position to deliver on that promise even faster.”
Although the companies said the deal created a path for driverless cars to move forward, it values Uber’s driverless car division significantly below the $7.3bn it was valued at last year. Aurora said the combined company would be worth $10bn.
Uber shares have climbed to all-time highs in recent weeks, as booming sales from its food delivery arm make up for declining ride numbers during the pandemic. This year it has sold off its electric scooter and bike division, and it is in talks to sell Elevate, its air taxi unit.
In March 2018, an Uber self-driving car killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona as she was crossing the street. The company’s safety policies were later deemed inadequate by a US watchdog, while the backup driver behind the wheel has been charged with negligent homicide.
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