Uber Partners With Carnegie Mellon University To Develop Driverless Car

Uber said it formed a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University to develop driverless cars and mapping technology. The partnership is likely to put Uber in direct competition with one of its biggest investors: Google.

The "strategic partnership" will include creation of Uber Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh near CMU campus. "The center will focus on the development of key long-term technologies that advance Uber's mission of bringing safe, reliable transportation to everyone, everywhere," Uber wrote in a blog post.

Google has been one of the pioneers of the autonomous driving technology and it was widely believed that the search giant may one day partner with Uber to finally implement that technology to masses. Google has reportedly invested hundred of millions of dollars in Uber and the company's Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, sits on Uber's board, WSJ reported.

"The partnership will provide a forum for Uber technology leaders to work closely with CMU faculty, staff, and students - both on campus and at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) - to do research and development, primarily in the areas of mapping and vehicle safety and autonomy technology," the blog post read.

WSJ, in a report noted that Google is developing an app to rival Uber has been blown out of proportion and the internal app is being tested by a Google engineer that helps Google employees carpool to work.

The agreement will also include funding from Uber for faculty chairs and graduate fellowships, recognizing and supporting Carnegie Mellon's world-renowned faculty and attracting the best and brightest graduate students.