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Stereotypes can be hard to shake off. In Volvo's case however, there's certainly worse images to have than being purveyors of extremely safe cars. The development of fully autonomous vehicles is the next logical step in taking safety to new heights, and to that end the Swedish company is joining forces with Uber, the San Francisco-based ride-sharing concern.
Anyone who's struggled to find a taxi after a night out will welcome the possibility of hailing a driverless car to ferry you home with a smartphone app. Volvo is already well advanced in its autonomous vehicle development, having invested billions since 2010 in a global transformation programme which also includes connectivity and alternative propulsion projects. The partnership with Uber is therefore a natural step, and the two companies plan to work closely on driverless car strategy.
Both companies will use the same base vehicle, centred on Volvo's SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, and add its own autonomous systems. The scope of the project is understandably massive, with all functions requiring careful thought and planning, but both companies are keen to stress the safety benefits. Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said: "Volvo is one of the most progressive and contemporary car makers in the world. It is a world leader in the development of active safety and autonomous drive technology and possesses unrivalled safety credibility. We are very proud to be the partner of choice for Uber, one of the world's leading technology companies. This alliance places Volvo at the heart of the current technological revolution in the automotive industry."
Head man at Uber, Travis Kalanick also enthused about the partnership, stating: "over one million people die in car accidents every year. These are tragedies that self-driving technology can help solve, but we can't do this alone. That's why our partnership with a great manufacturer like Volvo is so important. Volvo is a leader in vehicle development and best-in-class when it comes to safety. By combining the capabilities of Uber and Volvo we will get to the future faster, together."