article_snippet: News that Uber is acquiring a mapping service has heightened speculation Californian firm is developing Uber own driverless cars, including the components and software inside.
article_snippet: Rumours of the acquisition have been circulating for the past week and Uber has now confirmed it move, although it is not sharing purchase price or financial terms.
article_snippet: The acquisition bolsters rumours that Uber is planning to build a rival driverless car to Google's vehicle (pictured).  
article_snippet: Last month Bloomberg Business tweeted that Google and Uber are 'going to war over taxis', to which Google's official handle replied: '
article_snippet: Bloomberg Business think you'll find Uber and Lyft work quite well.
article_snippet: Bloomberg Business use Uber and Lyft all the time.'
article_snippet: This fuelled speculation because the reply is neither a confirmation, or a denial of the reports .
article_snippet: All told, Uber has raised nearly $6 billion (£4 billion) since Uber inception, including a $258 million (£170 million) infusion from Google's venture capital arm in 2013.
article_snippet: San Francisco-based Uber has grown into one of the world's largest start-ups, and now operates in more than 200 cities in 54 countries around the world.
article_snippet: But the app's growth has also cause friction with existing taxi operations, and posed challenges for regulators.
article_snippet: Uber does not employ drivers or own Uber vehicles, but instead uses independent contractors with independent contractors own cars.
article_snippet: Since launching in 2010, Uber has also been dubbed a prime example of a 'disruptive' economic force, and taxi drivers in dozens of cities have staged protests against the firm.
highlights_snippet: Deal bolsters rumours Uber is serious about building an autonomous car .
  