Volvo and Uber Extend Autonomous Car Trials to San Francisco
Volvo and Uber will begin testing self-driving XC90 SUVs on San Francisco’s streets, expanding their autonomous vehicle partnership beyond Pittsburgh.
Volvo and Uber are set to begin testing autonomous XC90 SUVs in San Francisco, expanding their partnership on self-driving vehicles beyond Pittsburgh. The move brings their advanced technology to one of the United States’ most challenging urban environments, known for its narrow, steep streets and heavy traffic.
Volvo and Uber Expand Autonomous Car Trials to San Francisco
Background: Previous Trials and Partnership
The collaboration between Volvo and Uber began with a limited trial in Pittsburgh, where Volvo supplied XC90 crossovers and Uber outfitted them with its proprietary suite of sensors and autonomous driving hardware. The Pittsburgh trial allowed the companies to test their technology in varied weather conditions and gather valuable data on real-world performance. The positive results from Pittsburgh have encouraged the companies to expand their efforts to San Francisco, where the driving environment poses new technical challenges.
How the San Francisco Trial Will Work
In San Francisco, the process will mirror the Pittsburgh approach. Volvo provides the base XC90 vehicles, while Uber installs the necessary sensors and hardware for autonomous operation. Each car will have an Uber employee in the driver’s seat to monitor the system and intervene if needed. According to Uber, this arrangement means the vehicles do not require a special permit under California regulations, since a human operator remains responsible at all times.
Why San Francisco?
San Francisco offers a complex urban setting with unique challenges for autonomous vehicles. The city’s steep inclines, narrow streets, frequent cyclists, and heavy traffic will provide a rigorous test for the technology. By trialling the vehicles in such an environment, Volvo and Uber hope to accelerate the development of systems capable of handling diverse and unpredictable real-world conditions.
Joint Development Project
The San Francisco trial is part of a broader $300 million joint development project between Volvo and Uber. The goal is to create a shared autonomous vehicle platform that both companies can adapt for their own future self-driving models. This partnership aims to leverage Volvo’s expertise in vehicle manufacturing and Uber’s strengths in autonomous technology and ride-sharing operations.
Global Ambitions and Future Plans
Volvo is a major proponent of autonomous driving, with ongoing trials not only in Sweden but also in England and planned for China. The company’s collaboration with Uber is a key part of its global strategy to develop and commercialise self-driving vehicles. Both companies ultimately plan to use the jointly developed “base” autonomous car as the foundation for their own specific versions, signalling a long-term commitment to the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.
