Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Uber Shutters Autonomous Truck Business Division

In a statement, the technology company said it will focus its autonomous vehicle efforts on passenger cars for the foreseeable future.

July 31, 2018
Uber Shutters Autonomous Truck Business Division

Uber is ending research on autonomous trucks in order to focus on self-driving cars. The company began its foray into autonomous trucks when it purchased the startup Otto (pictured).

Photo courtesy Uber

3 min to read


Uber is shuttering its autonomous truck research division.

At least for now.

Ad Loading...

That’s the word that came late on July 30 about the San Francisco-based tech company, which is ending research on autonomous trucks in order to focus on self-driving cars.

Uber acquired its autonomous truck business from startup Otto almost two years ago in a move that was widely considered controversial and, at times, proved to be contentious.

The story broke when online technology journal TechCrunch reported on an email from Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber Advanced Technologies group, which stated that, “We recently took the important step of returning to public roads in Pittsburgh, and as we look to continue that momentum, we believe having our entire team’s energy and expertise focused on this effort is the best path forward.

Ad Loading...

“Rather than having two groups working side by side, focused on different vehicle platforms, I want us instead collaborating as one team,” Meyhofer said in an email to employees reviewed by TechCrunch editors. “I know we’re all super proud of what the Trucks team has accomplished, and we continue to see the incredible promise of self-driving technology applied to moving freight across the country. But we believe delivering on self-driving for passenger applications first, and then bringing it to freight applications down the line, is the best path forward. For now, we need the focus of one team, with one clear objective.”

The move will not affect the Uber Freight business unit, which uses the company’s location-based, ride-location app technology to connect truckers with available freight.

According to TechCrunch, Uber will shut down its San Francisco operations and move employees to Pittsburgh, where its autonomous car research is located. The company said in a statement that it intends to continue to explore autonomous vehicle technology using passenger cars as foundational research units, but will maintain relationships with trucking OEMs as this technology matures.

Uber’s autonomous truck efforts have been hampered by controversy and legal battles since the company acquired the business unit from Otto in 2016. The acquisition later became the subject of an intellectual property lawsuit by Google, citing the role of Anthony Levandowski, the co-founder of Otto, who was a head engineer at Waymo, Google’s self-driving car spinoff, before leaving to concentrate on the new company. Waymo accused Levandowski of taking trade secrets, in the form of photos, schematics, and emails, with him and providing them to Uber. The lawsuit eventually contributed to  the resignation of Travis Kalanick, co-founder of Uber, as CEO in 2017.

Uber denies that it ever possessed any of the intellectual property, however, it agreed to settle the suit in February by paying Waymo approximately $245 million, and by promising to never use any of Waymo’s confidential information in any of its products.

Ad Loading...

Lawsuits weren’t the only forces working against Uber’s autonomous truck research. In March, an Uber autonomous research vehicle was involved in a fatal accident in Tempe, Arizona., resulting in negative press coverage of autonomous vehicle research and a temporary suspension of tests on public roads pending a review of safety procedures.

The company’s decision to suspend research into autonomous vehicles comes a week after the company restarted testing its passenger cars on public roads in Pittsburgh. Currently, the company is running and evaluating self-driving Volvo XC90 vehicles. According to Uber, the vehicles are only being driven manually by humans and under a new set of safety standards that include real-time monitoring of its test drivers and efforts to beef up simulation.


Related: Uber Highlights Self-Driving Truck Hauling Goods Cross Country

More Equipment

Heavy Duty Trucking Spotlight thumbnail showing new Mack trucks
Equipmentby Jack RobertsAugust 10, 2026

Behind the Wheel of the New Mack Anthem [Video]

HDT takes the new Mack Anthem around Mack’s Pennsylvania test track to see how its driver-focused design, technology, visibility and handling perform from behind the wheel.

Read More →
Interior of truck manufacturing plant
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 6, 2026

DTNA Plans New U.S. Truck Plant as Manufacturing Footprint Shifts

Daimler Truck North America is evaluating sites for a new assembly plant expected to open in 2029 while winding down operations at its longtime Portland manufacturing facility.

Read More →
Great Dane aluminum flatbed trailer
Equipmentby StaffAugust 5, 2026

Great Dane Flatbed Trailer Offers Light Weight and Strength

Freedom Ultra is designed for a wide range of open-deck applications, including building materials, lumber, machinery, steel products, industrial freight, and coil hauling.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman truck driver behind the wheel explaining features of the cab of Peterbilt Model 589
Equipmentby Wayne ParhamAugust 5, 2026

What It's Like Inside this Custom 2025 Peterbilt 589?

Take a driver's-eye tour of this customized 2025 Peterbilt 589 in this video, as longtime driver Ingrid Brown explains its features, compares it to previous models, and shares plenty of personality along the way.

Read More →
YouTube thumbnail showing two Western Star trucks with the text "Behind the Experience: Western Star Star Nation"
Equipmentby Lauren FletcherAugust 3, 2026

Drivers Put Western Star Trucks to the Test at Star Nation Experience

Watch to get an inside look at the Western Star trucks, technology, and community behind the Star Nation Experience 2026!

Read More →
Khaki-colored autonomous Peterbilt truck hauling triple trailers loaded with frac sand for Atlas Energy Solutions in the Permian Basin.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJuly 31, 2026

Atlas Expands Kodiak Driverless Truck Fleet in Permian Basin

Atlas Energy Solutions is expanding autonomous frac sand hauling in the Permian Basin with a second load-out location and plans for 100 driverless trucks by mid-2027.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Equipmentby Jim ParkJuly 30, 2026

Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test

A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.

Read More →
Photo of Volvo VNL truck on highway with illustration of software over the air updates
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJuly 27, 2026

Mack, Volvo Expand DEF Derate Software Updates

The updated software gives Mack and Volvo truck owners more time to address DEF-related issues before the engine derates or the vehicle goes into reduced-speed inducement, following new EPA guidance.

Read More →
Graphic showing Rush and MCT logos with blue tractor pulling white refrigerated trailer in the background
Maintenanceby News/Media ReleaseJuly 24, 2026

Rush, MCT Team Up to Grow Refrigeration Service Network

The joint venture will operate MCT's network of Carrier Transicold dealerships and mobile service locations, with the companies promising greater service capacity and uptime for refrigerated fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
EquipmentJuly 23, 2026

Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal

The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.

Read More →