The Future Looks Swedish? Volvo Inks a Deal to Supply Uber's Driverless Dreams

Building on a strategic partnership announced in August last year, Volvo has signed a framework agreement with Uber to sell “tens of thousands” of autonomous driving compatible base vehicles between 2019 and 2021.

While reading the report, it was important for this author to keep in mind the challenge in affixing an actual definition to the words autonomous driving. There have been shouty voices in various parts of the internet disputing the terms autonomous, Autopilot, and self-driving. There is merit to these arguments.

Nevertheless, Volvo is working with Uber to create technology that will allow vehicles to move about without a driver providing input 100 percent of the time.

The non-exclusive agreement — and it is important to note the word non-exclusive – furthers the partnership between Volvo and Uber while also writing a new chapter in the convergence of car makers and tech companies. Or, if one doesn’t view it as a full chapter, it’s at least more than a simple footnote.

The base for these vehicles is being developed on Volvo’s modular Scalable Product Architecture, which was developed in-house by the engineering boffins at the Swedish company. It is currently used on Volvo’s top-of-the-line 90 series machines, such as the XC90 and gorgeous (but special-order only) V90. The new XC60 midsize SUV deploys this Scalable Product Architecture as well.

“Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for AD ride-sharing service providers globally,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. “Today’s agreement with Uber is a primary example of that strategic direction.”

Volvo Cars’ engineers have apparently worked with engineers from Uber to develop the XC90 premium SUVs that are planned to be supplied to Uber. The base vehicles incorporate safety, redundancy, and core autonomous (there’s that word again) driving technologies which are required for Uber to add its own self-driving technology.

The relationship is not monogamous. At the same time as providing Uber with AD-compatible cars, Volvo will use the same base vehicle in the development of its own independent autonomous car strategy, which is planned to culminate in the release of its first fully autonomous car (Volvo’s language) in 2021.

[Images: Volvo Cars]