Daimler, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has struck an agreement with Uber Technologies to include the German company's self-driving vehicles on its ride-hailing network in the "coming years."
The two companies offered few specifics about the deal, and while details have been agreed, they could change depending on how the self-driving market evolves. It's not clear when exactly the autonomous cars will be available or the financial terms between them. However, the agreement signals Uber's willingness to open up its ride-hailing network to other companies' technology.
Daimler, based in Stuttgart, has been aggressive when it comes to developing self-driving technology of its own. The partnership could put the carmaker in a strong position to monetize self-driving cars when the technology is ready.
"Auto manufacturers like Daimler are crucial to our strategy because Uber has no experience making cars, and in fact, making cars is really hard," Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick wrote in a blog post. "This became very clear to me after I visited an auto manufacturing plant and saw how much effort goes into designing, testing and building cars."
The companies are still negotiating some of the terms of their agreement, but they expect that one-day an autonomous Mercedes could pick up a passenger hailed by Uber's smartphone application.
