According to ABCNews.com, Uber’s new fleet of self-driving cars will be equipped with level three autonomy that allows the vehicles to accelerate, brake and steer on their own. The cars will require a driver to be present to intervene if the technology fails, though.
The technology in each autonomous vehicle utilizes 20 cameras, seven lasers, three inertial measurement units and radar covering 360 degrees to help the self-driving cars keep their passengers safe.
Uber officials chose the Pittsburgh market due to its narrow, winding streets and unpredictable weather, which will provide the perfect testing ground for the safety and reliability of the self-driving cars.
While many customers will want to use the free Uber service, only the most loyal Pittsburgh passengers will be invited to the test program. Those in the program who request an UberX between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time will be paired with one of the new autonomous vehicles.
“I really believe that the most important thing that computers are going to do in the next 10 years is drive cars,” Uber’s Anthony Levandowski told USA Today.
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