Toyota and Uber to deploy autonomous ride-sharing service

Japanese automaker 1686 Toyota Motor is investing $500m in 8336 Uber as the companies intend to combine their technology to develop an autonomous ride-sharing fleet.

Through the agreement, Toyota will deploy a fleet of purpose-built Autono-MaaS (autonomous mobility as a service) vehicles on Uber’s ride-sharing network.

The Autono-MaaS vehicles will feature Uber’s autonomous driving system and the Toyota Guardian automated safety support system. Toyota will also utilise its Mobility Services Platform, a core information infrastructure for connected vehicles.

These systems will independently monitor the vehicle environment and are intended to improve overall vehicle safety.

Both companies expect the mass-produced autonomous vehicles to be owned and operated by third party fleet operators.

The proposed collaboration is subject to standard regulatory approvals.