Categories Technology

Uber axes self-driving vehicle operators in Pittsburgh and SF

Three months after a self-driving Uber car killed a 49-year-old woman during its testing operations in Arizona, the ride-hailing company has halted all its autonomous driving operations in  Pittsburgh and San Francisco. Tests in Arizona were earlier halted immediately after the fatal crash.

Quartz reports that Uber terminated about 100 self-driving vehicle operators and had even removed the position of an autonomous vehicle operator. Instead, the company is replacing them with technical specialists referred to as mission specialist, who are trained both for on-road and test track conditions. Uber has created 50 positions available in this role.

Related: Uber in talks with rival Waymo over self-driving partnership

The fatal crash in March came as a heavy blow to Uber as Arizona was the company’s largest testing ground. Following the incident, it has even axed 300 test drivers. The accident raised an array of doubts about Uber’s approach to road safety. Despite all these roadblocks, Uber is not slashing its autonomous vehicle plans. The company is hoping to resume autonomous vehicle testing in Pittsburgh in the coming months.

Uber is currently reorganizing its self-driving vehicle strategy, with a greater emphasis on safety. That’s why, despite being engaged in a bitter legal fight with its rival Waymo, Uber is keen on incorporating Waymo’s technology into its platform. Waymo apparently has the technology that Uber desperately needs.

Related: Uber crash: NTSB confirms the victim was detected before the mishap

Most Popular

IPO Alert: What to look for when Boundless Bio goes public

Boundless Bio is preparing to debut on the Nasdaq stock market this week, and become the latest addition to the list of biotech firms that have launched IPOs this year.

Nike (NKE) bets on innovation and partnerships to return to high growth

Sneaker giant Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) has been going through a rough patch for some time, with sales coming under pressure from weak demand and rising competition. Post-pandemic, the company

Walgreens Boots Alliance set to report earnings next week. Here’s what to expect

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the drug store chain that is expanding into a diversified healthcare provider, is on a restructuring drive aimed at better aligning the business with

Tags

Add Comment
Loading...
Cancel
Viewing Highlight
Loading...
Highlight
Close
Top