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Uber deploys Ioniq 5 robot to ‘millions of customers’ in US


The ride-sharing giant Uber signed a 10-year commercial agreement with the developer of autonomous driving technology Motivation to provide “completely driverless trips” and delivery services in certain regions of the United States.

As part of the deal, Uber will deploy “strategically” Electric control robot based on Hyundai Ioniq 5 by Motional to certain cities across the United States, with the potential to reach “millions of customers.”

The 10-year deal builds on a recent trial from earlier this year where Motional began delivering automated food delivery to UberEats customers in California.

The companies claim the 10-year deal will make them the first to offer both self-driving ride-hailing and delivery.

The first of these self-driving Uber robotaxi rides is expected to begin before the end of the year. They will be available in select US cities from the UberX and Uber Comfort Electric catalogs.

Details on cities and services will be revealed in the future, according to the companies.

“This agreement will be instrumental to the widespread adoption of robotaxis,” said Motional president and CEO, Karl Iagnemma.

“Motional now has unparalleled access to millions of riders and a roadmap to scale dramatically over the next ten years. We are proud to partner with Uber to bring both driverless rides and delivery to life in cities across the US.”

This isn’t the first time Uber has dabbled in autonomous vehicle technology.

Uber had been developing its own self-driving car technology for a number of years, but shut down the project after years of scandals – including the death of a pedestrian hit by an Uber test vehicle and an engineer being injured. jailed after being accused of stealing secrets from Google.

At the end of 2020, Uber decided Offloading Its Advanced Technology Team to Auroraa startup focused on making self-driving trucks a reality.

As part of the deal, Uber invested US$400 million (US$A623 million) in Aurora with a 26% stake. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also took a seat on Aurora’s board.

Fully electric introduction move Hyundai Ioniq 5 robotaxis for the Uber fleet to “positively contribute” to Uber’s commitment to being zero-emissions platform by 2030 in the US.

Mr. Khosrowshahi said CBS News In September, the company also committed to the same goal in Canada and Europe.

In the past, Uber has said it wants to be a zero-emissions company by 2040, and has promoted electric-powered drivers worldwide with incentives.

In Australia, it halving service fees for electric vehicle drivers between now and mid-2025, in an effort to encourage its operators to switch to petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

The policy of following a success 12 month trial in Australia. Uber said the move equates to a $26 million investment in the Australian electric vehicle market.

According to Uber, more than 378,000 electric rides were completed between 1 July 2021 and 8 July 2022, and the number of monthly tram rides has increased by almost five times across Australia.

A survey conducted by Uber in 2021 said that nearly 60% of its drivers are looking to use electricity by 2026, but only if can be done more cost effectively.

Uber Australia and New Zealand general manager Dom Taylor said last year that Uber would “loss” on every ride with a service fee of half the price, but believes the “benefit” of having the company’s fleet of vehicles moved to electric power “would be worth it. It”.

THAN: Uber abandons self-driving car development after years of scandals
THAN: Scheduled to launch self-driving Hyundai Ioniq 5 taxi in 2023
THAN: Uber wants to be electric-only by 2030 in some markets

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