Self-driving technology rivals Waymo and Uber tag for commercialization of unmanned trucks

Uber released in 2017, Uber Freight , a service that matches truck drivers with transportation companies that want to carry luggage, and Waymo , which promotes autonomous driving projects such as fully unmanned taxis, have teamed up to create autonomous trucks. It was announced that it would aim for further acceleration toward practical use. A new era of efficient and logistics that eliminates wasted travel by allowing Waymo's self-driving trucks to be quickly deployed to Uber Freight's package delivery routes, according to a release announced by Waymo. It will be a partnership to welcome.

Waypoint --The official Waymo blog: Waymo Via and Uber Freight partner to accelerate the future of logistics
https://blog.waymo.com/2022/06/waymo-via-and-uber-freight-partner-to.html

Waymo is teaming up with Uber on autonomous trucking because time really heals all wounds --The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/7/23156674/waymo-via-uber-freight-autonomous-truck-deal

After launching Uber Freight in 2017, Uber announced an attempt to streamline long-distance transport with self-driving trucks in 2018. This is a division of labor system that entrusts self-driving cars to long-distance highways that are relatively easy to drive, and baton-touches human drivers for delivery in complicated urban areas, and tried to realize delivery by self-driving trucks. thing. This Uber self-driving delivery was tested in Arizona, but some of Uber's self-driving announcements have been suspended due to an accident in which the self-driving car under test bounces and kills pedestrians. ..

Uber collaborates self-driving trucks with human-driven trucks to further streamline and automate commercial transportation-GIGAZINE

Also in February 2017, Waymo filed a lawsuit alleging that Uber stole key autonomous driving technology. The trial ended just a year later in February 2018 with a sudden reconciliation , admitting that Uber had abused some of Waymo's technology, but vowed to license Uber for future use. I did.

Waymo, the successor to Google's self-driving car plan, accuses Uber of 'stealing trade secrets'-GIGAZINE

There was no mention of past litigation or other relationships during this partnership between Waymo and Uber, but for Uber, which had made a large investment but was unable to proceed with the project after the Arizona incident, and for business expansion. The Verge , an American tech news site, concludes that the partnership is the result of a aligned interest with Waymo, which is rushing to grow its truck business.

Waymo describes the partnership with Uber as a 'deep long-term partnership' and 'envisions a future in which autonomous trucks can be safely, efficiently and scaled across digitally optimized networks. We can eliminate wasteful deadheads , streamline our supply chain and help create safer roads. We can't wait to do this alongside Uber Freight. '

Lior Ron, Head of Uber Freight, said, 'Uber Freight's extensive, efficient and reliable digital network is essential for achieving autonomous trucks. We benefit the entire industry. We are uniquely positioned as a priority network for autonomous trucks with the scale and market expertise to deploy autonomous trucks in the way we bring them. Working with Waymo Via is a great leap forward and marks a new era of logistics. We are proud to develop a freight network. '