The future is (almost) here. At least if you live in Pittsburgh.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg News, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick revealed that the ride-hailing service, which completely revolutionized the transportation industry, will launch its first ever self-driving cars in Pittsburgh later this month.
Expect the automobiles to be "heavily modified" Volvo XC90 SUVs, each one supervised by drivers that will accompany riders. Wondering if you'll have to rate those supervisors? No word on that just yet.
As part of the $300 million Uber/Volvo deal, Uber would purchase the XC90 sports utility vehicles, considered some of the safest on the road, and then develop and install the autonomous driving technology on each car.
Ride-hailing companies have been striking these sorts of partnerships at a rapid pace. In addition to working with Volvo, Uber has signed a deal with Toyota while also being in talks with Fiat Chrysler. Lyft, an Uber competitor, has partnered with General Motors, announcing that its own self-driving cars will roll out within the next year.
Kalanick also revealed Uber's acquisition of Otto, a company working on autonomous big-rig trucks that was founded in early 2016 by two former Google employees who had worked on Google Maps and Google's own self-driving cars projects.
"By joining forces with Uber we can fast forward to the future. Together, Otto and Uber can build the backbone of the rapidly-approaching self-driving freight system," Lior Ron, co-founder of Otto, wrote in a post on Medium, confirming the acquisition.
It seems like a future highlighted by car rides dedicated to reading while sipping on a coffee and catching up on emails without having to small talk with a driver is very near.