Uber is setting up a new self-driving car project at the University of Arizona, according to an email sent out today to university employees. The new project will focus on self-driving car technology, particularly the mapping and optics challenges involved in developing a fully autonomous vehicle. An official statement from Uber confirmed the news, saying, "we’ll work with some of the world’s leading experts in lens design at the University to improve the imagery we capture and use to build out mapping and safety features." The project comes just months after a major hiring push for Uber's Pittsburgh center, which many complained had hired so many experts away from the local robotics lab that they had effectively gutted competing projects. According to a statement from Arizona's governor, the partnership will focus on the optics systems necessary for mapping and safety, and will result in a number of Uber's test vehicles taking up permanent residence in Arizona. Uber will donate $25,000 to the university's College of Optical Sciences. Further details are still being worked out, but the partnership seems designed to position Tucson as a new hub for much of Uber's ongoing research into autonomous vehicles. The full email sent to University of Arizona staff is reproduced below: Update August 25th 9:45PM ET: Updated to include Uber's official statement.
Uber has created a new partnership with the University of Arizona to research self - driving cars , according to an email sent to University employees online . The terms of the agreement have yet to be finalised , but Uber and the University plan " to work together on educational , workforce development , and research efforts in optics , engineering , and education , " the university said . As part of the partnership , the University will house mapping simulation kits from Uber in order to develop and develop mapping and testing technologies . Uber will also donate $ 25,000 to the University of Arizona 's College of Optical Sciences .