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Saturday, June 10, 2023

Uber buys Otto

Uber, the game-changing ride-share company that allows anyone to use a simple smartphone app to turn his or her private vehicle into a taxi, is expanding its transportation footprint with the acquisition of Otto. Otto is a start-up headed by former Google executive Anthony Levandowski, formed to create and manufacture autonomous commercial trucks.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said Levandowski will lead the companyโ€™s efforts in developing both passenger and commercial autonomous vehicles. Kalanick also announced Uber has partnered with Volvo to strengthen its manufacturing capability.

Otto is already road testing a โ€œsuiteโ€ of sensors, software, and truck enhancements that could be quickly fitted on existing heavy trucks.

โ€œTogether with Uber, we will create the future of commercial transportation: first, self-driving trucks that provide drivers unprecedented levels of safety; and second, a platform that matches truck drivers with the right load wherever they are,โ€ Otto stated on its blog.

โ€œBy combining these two technologies, we can create a freight network that is constantly learning and improving,โ€ Otto explained. โ€œEach truck that joins the network can provide valuable information that makes all other trucks safer and more efficient. In turn, drivers get paid more and shippers get a more reliable service. Self-driving trucks together with a marketplace create a virtuous cycle where everyone benefits.โ€

Uber hopes its venture into autonomous driving will increase road safety, reduce congestion and cut pollution.