Uber has had discussions with SoftBank-backed self-driving vehicle developer Nuro about using Nuro vehicles to help automate Uber’s hot food delivery service Uber Eats, according to a confidential document reviewed by The Information. Such a deal could someday help Uber reduce losses on Uber Eats, a critical issue for investors as the ride-hailing firm goes public.
The discussions, which center on Uber Eats testing Nuro vehicles in suburban Houston later this year, show how Uber is pursuing long-standing hopes of using self-driving technology to cut costs of hiring drivers. The technology could be hugely valuable for the ride-hailing firm’s long-term profitability, although prospects for self-driving cars remain highly uncertain.
