The deal will see 15 researchers that have been developing machine learning techniques, join a new division at Uber called Uber AI Labs that will work to improve the algorithms Uber uses to match drivers with passengers, and seek new techniques for building self-driving cars. The team will also help to accelerate the roll-out of Uber’s planned self-driving fleet which is already being tested in Pittsburgh and San Francisco.
Most of the research team will relocate to San Francisco, the site of Uber’s headquarters, but will maintain strong links with New York University, which has funded Geometric Intelligence until recently.
This news further serves to highlight Uber’s future intentions in the world of autonomous driving. The company already runs a self-driving lab in Pittsburgh and earlier this year acquired self-driving car company, Otto.