Watch CBS News

Uber Testing Self-Driving Car In Pittsburgh

DETROIT (CBSLA.com) — One day when you order an Uber, your ride may show up without a driver. Uber is testing a self-driving car on the streets of Pittsburgh.

The car is a Ford Fusion hybrid equipped with radars, laser scanners and high-resolution cameras, according to the company.

The vehicle is testing its self-driving capabilities and collecting mapping data.

The ride-hailing company said Pittsburgh is an ideal place for the project because it has a wide variety of weather and road types.

A driver remains behind the wheel for now to make sure the technology is safe because the experiment is still in its early stages, Uber said.

"In the future we believe this technology will mean less congestion, more affordable and accessible transportation, and far fewer lives lost in car accidents. These goals are at the heart of Uber's mission to make transportation as reliable as running water," according to Uber's website.

Uber Technologies Inc. announced a partnership with Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University last year. It has also opened its own Advanced Technologies Center, which is led by a former Carnegie Mellon robotics engineer.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.