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 our 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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mercedes-AMG’s Porsche Taycan killer powerslides into view
Mercedes-AMG EQ Supersaloon - front
News

Mercedes-AMG’s Porsche Taycan killer powerslides into view

The new electric Mercedes-AMG super saloon will use AMG’s own unique platform, and is likely to produce 1,000bhp
18 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari: F1 ace to swap Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025
Lewis Hamilton sitting next to a trophy
News

Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari: F1 ace to swap Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025

It’s the end of an era in Formula One as Lewis Hamilton agrees to leave the Mercedes-AMG team at the end of the 2024 season
2 Feb 2024
Mercedes’ 'digital luxury' vision means immersive media, autonomous driving and big screens
Mercedes MBUX and AI - interior
News

Mercedes’ 'digital luxury' vision means immersive media, autonomous driving and big screens

We find out how connectivity will shape the upmarket Mercs of the future
12 Jan 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024