Ride-hailing giant Uber has announced a strategic investment in Wayve, a British self-driving technology startup, to expedite the development of autonomous systems in collaboration with major automakers. The specific amount of the investment remains undisclosed. However, this investment will significantly bolster the $1.05 billion in Series C funding Wayve secured earlier this year, spearheaded by SoftBank Group.
Wayve has pioneered an innovative technology called “Embodied AI” that showcases the ability to understand and adapt to human behavior. The latest funding and support from Uber will enable Wayve to fast-track the progress of Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance systems, as well as automated driving functions, with various automakers. In addition, this partnership aims to establish a foundation for the future deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles on Uber’s platform.
Level 2 systems empower vehicles to autonomously perform fundamental tasks, such as staying within designated lanes and maintaining safe distance from surrounding vehicles. On the other hand, Level 3 cars have the capability to drive themselves, but still require drivers to remain attentive. Level 4 autonomous vehicles, the pinnacle of automation, possess the ability to navigate and make decisions independently in almost all circumstances, even in potentially hazardous situations.
As the automotive industry becomes increasingly captivated by the notion of self-driving technology, collaborations like these between automakers and autonomous software developers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation. By teaming up, Uber and Wayve aim to propel the development of sophisticated autonomous solutions, ultimately paving the way for a revolutionized transportation landscape.