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Uber Y Waymothe autonomous vehicle unit of Googleannounced Tuesday that they are working together to get freight trucks rolling on America’s highways.
Due to the long distances between cities in that country, the two companies see autonomous driving as an alternative to cut costs and minimize risks in the cargo transport sector, which is key to the economy.
Waymo will allow its technology to intertwine with an Uber freight platform that connects truckers to shipments in a new way for users to schedule freight in mobile apps.
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“Uber’s network of carriers and freighters and online commerce technology are a great match for Waymo Driver,” Charlie Jatt, head of truck marketing, said in a statement.
Carriers that buy trucks equipped with Waymo systems will be able to choose to have their vehicles deployed with “autonomous features” on Uber’s charging network, the companies said.
Uber and Waymo are also jointly exploring the potential to exploit niches where freight is easily shifted from self-driving trucks to trucks driven by people.
“The two companies envision a future where self-driving trucks are part of long-haul hauls, alleviating some of the growing demand for freight while allowing drivers to transition to short-haul jobs.”
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But before self-driving trucks are allowed on US highways, they still need to pass multiple tests to ensure they are safe.
Waymo has been testing self-driving trucks in a handful of US states. “Uber’s efficient, extensive and reliable digital freight network is essential to making self-driving trucks a reality,” said unit head Lior Ron.
According to the company’s latest earnings reports, this division has been growing steadily.
Source: Elcomercio
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years and have written for various news outlets. I currently work as an author at 24 News Recorder, mostly covering entertainment news. I have a keen interest in the industry and enjoy writing about the latest news and gossip. I am also a member of the National Association of Journalists.
