Uber has made autonomous vehicles (AVs) a key part of its strategy for future growth and has ramped up investment and testing in emerging technology. That effort took a step back after a fatal crash while testing in Tempe, AZ in 2018, causing Uber to suspend its public tests for nine months (local authorities cleared Uber of criminal liability, but federal investigators are still probing the incident).
The expansion to Dallas reflects Uber’s conservative and public approach to its AV testing in the aftermath of the crash. Uber already has a footprint in Dallas, offering Uber Eats, Jump scooters and Uber Freight (Uber will also test its Elevate flying taxi concept there).
Texas has also been supportive of the AV industry, passing a law in 2017 to allow self-driving cars on public roads and creating an AV task force earlier this year. In an interview, Uber ATG spokesperson Sarah Abboud said the combination of a “friendly regulatory environment and a close relationship” meant that Dallas emerged as a viable site for future AV testing and operations.
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/uber-to-bring-av-testing-to-dallas/563222/
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