Uber launches Uber Autonomous Solutions, makes pitch to be AV commercialization, data layer

Uber launched Uber Autonomous Solutions and the upshot is that the company is looking to be a data and monetization layer for autonomous vehicles. 

Questions about whether Uber needed to build autonomous vehicles have lingered for years. Uber spent much of its fourth quarter earnings presentation outlining where it fits in the autonomous vehicle (AV) market. The gist: Uber didn't need to build AVs as much as be a marketplace for them. 

Nevertheless, the AV question remains. With Uber Autonomous Solutions, the company laid out a set of services and tools for the AV market. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, "innovation in autonomy is moving quickly, but meaningful commercialization will take longer" and Uber Autonomous Solutions makes the company's core strengths available to the AV market. 

Not surprisingly, Uber provides AV players access to its market, but Uber Autonomous Solutions adds commercialization tools, data insights and product development and support services. 

Uber Autonomous Solutions rhymes with Uber AI Solutions, a unit that provides services based on Uber's data and AI services. 

• Uber AI Solutions expands, targets enterprises
• A look at the intersection of AI and customer experience
• How Uber's tech stack, datasets drive AI, experience, growth
• Uber aims to press its 'data advantage' for AI, model training

If successful, Uber could be a key player in the AV market across infrastructure, user experience and fleet operations. 

Here's a look at what's included with Uber Autonomous Solutions:

• AV training data. Uber provides data from AV fleets across its networks in multiple cities. With AV 2.0 Training Data, Uber can help AV partners train models. 
• Mapping tools via Uber's in-house software as well as geospatial data and custom APIs. AV partners can use Uber data to refine pickups, routing and ETAs. 
• Data for venues and big events for high-traffic moments. 
• Services to help AV partners with compliance.
• And financing to develop AV fleets. 

On the user experience front, Uber Autonomous Solutions will include product design tools, in-car interfaces and cockpit features. Uber will also add AV partners to its marketplace tiers and provide customer support. 

For fleet management, Uber Autonomous Solutions includes fleet intelligence to manage AVs, remote assistance for riders, field support operations and AV insurance programs.