Uber to work with Arizona college to test self-driving cars

Google may be winning the race to self-driving cars, but Uber isn’t giving up.

Uber and the University of Arizona have announced a new research partnership to study self-driving cars. Uber is also donating $25,000 to the University of Arizona’s College of Optical Sciences, and an internal email obtained by The Verge indicates that the donation will be for scholarships.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey released a statement Tuesday about the partnership, which will focus primarily on research and development in mapping and optics.

Months ago, Uber made a play for the self-driving auto space by attracting staff from Carnegie Mellon University’s robotics department.

He went on to mention that Uber is “looking for improving the technologies that mapping and driverless vehicles are dependent on”, hinting that this is more than merely expanding its app’s mapping platform.

Given that Arizona previously halted efforts to make Uber drivers carry commercial licenses and commercial insurance, it isn’t surprising the ridesharing service has chosen the state as one of its testing grounds.

“Tucson – and the University of Arizona – will be become the next home to our Uber mapping test vehicles”, Uber said in its announcement. This partnership builds on the UA’s history of excellence in optical sciences and will fund important research here at the UA in the coming years.

“All Arizonans stand to benefit from embracing new technologies – especially when it means new jobs, new economic development, new research opportunities and increased public safety and transportation options for our state”, Governor Ducey said in the announcement.

Today Uber announced that it is partnering with the University of Arizona.

Business Insider has reached out to Uber for comment and will update this article when we hear back.