Uber to test self-driving car on streets

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies, Inc. on Thursday announced it would road-test its first self-driving car in the U.S. eastern city of Pittsburgh in the coming weeks.

The test vehicle will be collecting mapping data as well as testing its self-driving capabilities, the San Francisco, California-based company said in a blog post, adding that a trained driver will be sitting behind the wheel to monitor the testing when the car is in self-driving mode.

The hybrid Ford Fusion converted car is mounted with various sensors including radars, laser scanners and high resolution cameras to map details of the environment.

According to Uber, its self-driving program is still in its early stage with each day of testing bringing improvements. "Right now we're focused on getting the technology right and ensuring it's safe for everyone on the road -- pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers," it said.

Pittsburgh is seen by Uber as an ideal place to develop and test its self-driving technology across a wide variety of road types, traffic patterns and weather conditions. The test plan also won the support of the Pittsburgh mayor and other local leaders.

The Pennsylvanian city is home to Uber Advanced Technologies Center, which was established one year ago under a partnership between the company and Carnegie Mellon University.

Uber believes self-driving cars could prevent numerous lives from being lost in vehicle accidents involving human errors. The technology, in the future, will mean less congestion and more affordable and accessible transportation, the company's blog post said.

Uber is not alone in aiming for autonomous taxis.

Lyft, Uber's biggest rival in the U.S. market, has partnered up with General Motors in developing and promoting autonomous vehicles. It was reported this month that the two companies plan to road-test a fleet of self-driving electric taxis within a year.

(APD)