More than 20,000 Self-Driving Volvo XC90s heading for UBER

Volvo has done a deal with taxi firm Uber to supply tens of thousands of autonomous driving-compatible XC90 SUVs between 2019 and 2021.

As well as developing their own autonomous self-driving cars, Volvo are keen to be in the heart of the mobility shift self-driving technology will bring.

So last year Volvo partnered with Uber to deliver the XC90 to the ride firm to add their own self-driving capabilities and trial the whole thing out in Pittsburgh.

Just a few months later that autonomous driving experiment between Volvo and Uber was extended to the streets of San Francisco, and that too seems to have worked well, as Volvo has now announced an even bigger tie-up between the two.

Volvo has now signed a framework agreement with Uber to supply tens of thousands of autonomous driving-compatible XC90s to Uber between 2019 and 2021.

The base vehicles Volvo will supply incorporates all Volvo’s safety and core autonomous capabilities, on top of which Uber will add its own technology to meet its specific needs.

Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo SEO, said:

The automotive industry is being disrupted by technology, and Volvo Cars chooses to be an active part of that disruption.

Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for AD ride-sharing service providers globally. Today’s agreement with Uber is a primary example of that strategic direction.

It’s all a sign of the times as car makers seek a way to stay relevant and successful with the onslaught of new technology and mobility solutions, and the tie-up with Uber is a very sensible route for Volvo to pursue.

And you never know; if the Uber you ‘hail’ doesn’t have a driver, it may actually turn up exactly where you want it to.

Or maybe not.