Uber and Cruise forge strategic alliance to introduce autonomous vehicles to ridehailing
Uber Technologies and Cruise have announced a significant multiyear partnership aimed at integrating autonomous vehicles into the Uber ride-hailing platform.
The collaboration will see a fleet of Chevy Bolt-based autonomous vehicles from Cruise made available to Uber users starting next year.
The partnership represents a pivotal step in the evolution of both companies. For Uber, it expands its transportation options by incorporating Cruise's driverless technology. Cruise, a leader in the autonomous vehicle sector, will gain access to Uber's vast user base, enhancing its presence in the competitive landscape of urban transportation.
When the partnership goes live, Uber riders may have the opportunity to choose a Cruise autonomous vehicle when booking their journeys through the app. This development could mark a significant shift in how passengers experience ridehailing, as driverless technology begins to ramp up in certain communities.
Marc Whitten, Cruise CEO, said: “Cruise is on a mission to leverage driverless technology to create safer streets and redefine urban life.
“We are excited to partner with Uber to bring the benefits of safe, reliable, autonomous driving to even more people, unlocking a new era of urban mobility.”
Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, said: “As the largest mobility and delivery platform, we believe Uber can play an important role in helping to safely and reliably introduce autonomous technology to consumers and cities around the world.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Cruise and look forward to launching next year.”
