News that Uber is acquiring a mapping service has heightened speculation the cab firm is developing its own driverless cars , including the components and software inside . Uber is set to close the deal for San Jose-based firm deCarta 'later this week , ' and it would lessen Uber 's reliance on Google Maps . The cab service said the acquisition is designed to ‘ fine tune ’ Uber ’ s services that rely on maps - but it could also help with the development of an autonomous vehicle . Uber is set to close the deal for San Jose-based firm deCarta 'later this week , ' and it would lessen Uber 's reliance on Google Maps . The cab service said the acquisition is designed to ‘ fine tune ’ Uber ’ s services that rely on maps - but it could also help with the development of an autonomous vehicle . The accurate navigation technology , for example , could be used to train and test autonomous taxis . Uber lets consumers use an app to locate a driver and instantly book a ride . Google Maps software is already integrated into Uber to let users check progress of drivers on their way to pick them up . DeCarta was founded in 1996 and provides services including in-map searching , turn-by-turn navigation , location APIs and more . While it may not be as well-known as Google Maps , its technology is extensively used by consumers . The OnStar system built into cars made by General Motors , for example , relies on deCarta , as do smartphone makers Samsung and BlackBerry . In its early years , Google Maps even tapped into deCarta 's technology according to the company . Rumours of the acquisition have been circulating for the past week and Uber has now confirmed its move , although it is not sharing purchase price or financial terms . The acquisition bolsters rumours that Uber is planning to build a rival driverless car to Google 's vehicle ( pictured ) . Uber said it will be partnering with roboticists at Carnegie Mellon University to create a centre devoted to research and development of mapping , car safety , and 'autonomous technology ' ' A lot of the functionality that makes the Uber app so reliable , affordable and seamless is based on mapping technologies , ' the company said in a statement . 'With the acquisition of deCarta , we will continue to fine-tune our products and services that rely on maps - for example UberPOOL , the way we compute ETAs , and others - and make the Uber experience even better for our users . ' Uber is said to have opened a robotics research facility in Pittsburgh with the intention of creating a self-driving car , going head-to-head with Google 's efforts . Google was an early backer of the San Francisco-based firm , investing $ 258 million ( £170 million ) in the controversial ride-sharing service through its venture capital arm in August 2013 . David Drummond , Google ’ s chief legal officer and senior vice president of corporate development , then joined the Uber board of directors . Last month Bloomberg Business tweeted that Google and Uber are 'going to war over taxis ' , to which Google 's official handle replied : 'We think you 'll find Uber and Lyft work quite well . We use them all the time . ' This fuelled speculation because the reply is neither a confirmation , or a denial of the reports . In blog post Uber recently said it would be partnering with roboticists at Carnegie Mellon University . It is said to have opened a research facility in Pittsburgh with the intention of creating a self-driving car , going head-to-head with Google 's efforts . Google was an early backer of the San Francisco-based firm , investing $ 258 million ( £170 million ) in the controversial ride-sharing service through its venture capital arm in August 2013 . David Drummond , Google ’ s chief legal officer and senior vice president of corporate development , then joined the Uber board of directors . In blog post , Uber recently said it would be partnering with roboticists at Carnegie Mellon University to create a centre devoted to research and development of mapping , car safety , and 'autonomous technology ' . Investors involved in that financing have valued the 6-year-old company at about $ 40 billion ( £26 billion ) . All told , Uber has raised nearly $ 6 billion ( £4 billion ) since its inception , including a $ 258 million ( £170 million ) infusion from Google 's venture capital arm in 2013 . 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 . But the app 's growth has also cause friction with existing taxi operations , and posed challenges for regulators . Uber does not employ drivers or own its vehicles , but instead uses independent contractors with their own cars . 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 .
deCarta told MailOnline it expects to close the Uber deal 'later this week ' Mapping service will be used to boost the cab service 's current offerings . May give it independence from Google , on whose maps it service relies . Deal bolsters rumours deCarta is serious about building an autonomous car . Californian firm is said to have built a research centre in Pittsburgh with the intention of creating a self-driving car .