Uber is making a strategic investment in Wayve as an extension of the UK-based startup's previously announced $1.05 billion Series C round. The partnership will see the two companies work with automakers to integrate Wayve's AI into future consumer vehicles that will operate on the ride-hailing giant's platform.
The partnership comes a week after Uber announced that Cruise's robotaxis will join the Uber app in 2025. It's the latest in a series of self-driving tech partnerships that Uber has secured over the past few years.
Details of Uber's partnership with Wave are scarce, but the startup has generated a lot of buzz since it was founded in Cambridge in 2017. Over the past two years, Wave has raised more than $1.3 billion from backers including SoftBank Group Corp., Nvidia Corp. and Microsoft.
The startup is developing a self-driving system that is self-learning rather than rule-based, which is similar to Tesla's AI. And like Tesla, Wayve doesn't rely on LiDAR sensors; it uses cameras and radar to help its AI perceive the world around it. Unlike Tesla, Wayve is building its AI to help other automakers build Level 2+ advanced driver assistance systems and Level 3 and Level 4 self-driving capabilities into consumer vehicles.
SAE defines Level 3 and 4 self-driving systems as those that can operate autonomously under certain conditions. Level 3 systems require a driver to be ready to take over, while Level 4 systems do not. According to a Wayve spokesperson, Wayve is currently testing its L2+ technology with a safety driver in the driver's seat in a Jaguar I-Pace and a Ford E-Transit, but has not yet begun L3 and L4 testing.
Wave did not provide details about its deal with Uber, but the company said in a statement that the partnership “envisions the future availability of Wave-powered self-driving cars on the Uber network.”
Neither Wayve nor Uber would disclose when Wayve-equipped cars will be added to the Uber app, whether the cars will be fully self-driving or just equipped with advanced driver-assistance technology, or the size of Uber's investment.
Wave CEO and co-founder Alex Kendall said in a statement that the partnership will help “significantly enhance our AI vehicle learning and ensure our AV technology is safe and ready for global deployment across the Uber network.”
Kendall also said that Wave and Uber will work together “to work with auto OEMs to bring self-driving technology to consumers faster.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement that the company is building a “world where modern vehicles are shared, electric and autonomous” and that Wave's approach to AI is “very promising.”
“As we continue to build Uber into the best network for autonomous vehicles, we're thrilled to have Wayve on board as a partner working with automakers,” Khosrowshahi said.
In recent weeks, Uber has positioned itself as an ideal partner for self-driving startups looking to commercialize. Last year, Waymo's robotaxis joined the Uber platform in Phoenix. Uber has also partnered with autonomous sidewalk delivery robot companies like Serve Robotics, Cartken and Coco, and autonomous freight startups like Waabi and Aurora to bring self-driving capabilities to Uber Eats and Uber Freight.