Toyota and partners invest in Uber’s self-driving EVs

1686 Toyota Motor, 8837 Denso and the Softbank Vision Fund (SVF) will invest $1billion in 8336 Uber Advanced Technologies to accelerate the development of automated ride-sharing services.

Under the current terms, Toyota and Denso will invest $667 million and SVF will put in $33m.

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, says: “The development of automated driving technology will transform transportation as we know it, making our streets safer and our cities more livable.”

Additionally, Toyota is to provide an additional $300 million over three years to cover the costs of developing AV hardware and commercialising autonomous ride-sharing vehicles and services.

Shigeki Tomoyama, president of Toyota’s in-house connected company, says the partnership will combine Uber’s AV technology and service network with Toyota’s vehicle control system technology and safety support systems.