Skip advert
Advertisement

Uber and Mercedes team up to deliver autonomous taxis

Self-driving taxis are a feasible reality, after Mercedes announces partnership with Uber

Mercedes EQ electric SUV - front tracking

Mercedes and parent company Daimler have announced plans of a new tie-up with the ride-hailing app Uber, to provide fleets of self-driving taxis to paying customers around the world.

The driverless Mercedes models will eventually be bookable through the Uber mobile app, though the two companies have refused to give a timeframe for when the technology might be ready. A report in the Financial Times suggested that it could be “years” before any such network was operable, however.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick wrote in a blog post: “Auto manufacturers like Daimler are crucial to our strategy, because Uber has no experience making cars.

Ultimate guide to self-driving cars

“Making cars is really hard,” he said. “This became very clear after I visited an auto manufacturing plant and saw how much effort goes in to designing, testing and building cars.”

It appears therefore that Uber would utilise Daimler’s engineering expertise, offering the car maker significant knowledge when it comes to delivering the technology to ride-hailing consumers – a business model that has taken off in the past three years.

Big advances in legislation are needed before widespread testing can commence, with the trials requiring state approval across the US. The UK Government is investing millions to make Britain an appealing test bed for this kind of tech, however, with trials of some autonomous vehicles already up and running. 

No financial terms between Daimler and Uber have been revealed, but it’s suggested that the agreement is non-exclusive, meaning other companies could team with the brands to deliver the final proposal.

The race is on among car manufacturers to deliver the first truly driverless car, and Merc’s very own E-Class already offers semi-autonomous technology, which can work on motorways by steering, braking and accelerating without driver input. Volvo’s latest models use similar systems and can operate at speeds of up to 80mph. 

Would you ever hail an autonomous taxi? Let us know in the comments below…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
13 Jun 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
29 May 2025
Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records
Mercedes AMG-One at Nurburgring

Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records

Check out the top 10 fastest production cars around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany
Best cars & vans
13 May 2025
Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon
British Yasa Motors

Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon

Auto Express speaks to the Brit behind the tech underpinning Mercedes-AMG’s new super-saloon
News
12 May 2025

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular
Kia Sportage - side panning

Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular

The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won’t do it any harm at all.
News
14 Jun 2025
New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025