Toyota and Uber expand collaboration on AVs

Toyota is investing US$500 million in Uber under an agreement to expand their collaboration on autonomous vehicle (AV) ride-sharing.

Uber’s self-driving technology will be incorporated into Toyota Sienna Minivans. The vehicles could become owned and operated by mutually agreed third-party fleet managers.

The minivans will have Uber’s self-driving system as well as a backup autonomous system called Toyota Guardian, developed by the Toyota Research Institute, providing a platform dubbed “Autono-MaaS”, or “autonomous-mobility as a service”.

“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,” Toyota Research Institute chief executive officer Dr Gill Pratt says.

Toyota will also utilise its mobility services platform (MSPF), its core information infrastructure for connected vehicles.

Pilot-scale deployments on the Uber ride-sharing network start in 2021.

“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”, Toyota executive vice president Shigeki Tomoyama says.

“The deal is the first of its kind for Uber, and signals our commitment to bringing world-class technologies to the Uber network,” Uber chief executive officer Dara Khosrowshahi says.

“Our goal is to deploy the world’s safest self-driving cars on the Uber network, and this agreement is another significant step towards making that a reality. Uber’s advanced technology and Toyota’s commitment to safety and its renowned manufacturing prowess make this partnership a natural fit.”

Toyota’s investment in Uber and the proposed collaboration are subject to standard regulatory approvals.

Meanwhile, a fatal crash involving one of Uber’s cars earlier this year in Arizona remains under investigation.