Uber working on mapping and safety technology at University of Arizona

The ride-hailing company announced Tuesday that it’s partnering with the University of Arizona to focus on research for its mapping and safety technology.

Uber will donate US$25,000 to the university’s College of Optical Sciences to support the work.

This partnership is just the latest move by Uber in the past few months to beef up its interest and involvement in self-driving auto technologies.

The governor also signed an executive order supporting the testing and operation of self-driving vehicles in on some public roads in Arizona. The company announced its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in February to create the Uber Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh, which was set up for the research and development of mapping and vehicle safety as well as autonomy technology.

Uber has made other efforts to boost its research into driverless cars.

The development of a fully autonomous auto could still be years away for Uber.

Uber plans to work with experts in lens design at the university to improve the imagery it captures, it said on Tuesday.

In the press release, Hart stated that she had a conference with Gov. Doug Ducey, Rep. Martha McSally, and Vice President of Advanced Technologies for Uber Technologies Brian McClendon. Included in that partnership is a likelihood that self-driving cars will be tested in the Tucson area.

Uber will also partner with the UA on student engagement and a scholarship program in the College of Optical Sciences that will support our efforts in the 100% Engagement initiative as well as those in expanding accessibility to affordable higher education. I am grateful for Governor Ducey’s support for this partnership and for his leadership in helping to facilitate it. I look forward to the great things the partnership will do for our state and its people.