Uber sends 500 data-collection vehicles to the roads

Uber plans to deploy 500 specially equipped Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles this year that will collect data for the company's new AV Labs division. The vehicles are outfitted with various sensors to support Uber's autonomous vehicle development programme.

Uber plans to put 500 modified Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles on the roads this year, equipped with sensors for collecting traffic data. These vehicles serve Uber's newly created AV Labs division, which focuses on developing autonomous vehicle technology.

The Ioniq 5 models are equipped with a suite of cameras, lidars and other sensors that enable precise road mapping and capture of the traffic environment. The data collected forms the foundation for training Uber's self-learning algorithms, which are a central component of the autonomous vehicle programme.

AV Labs is Uber's new division that consolidates the company's efforts in vehicle automation. The launch of the project demonstrates that Uber wants to play a more active role in the autonomous vehicle sector, which has become increasingly competitive in recent years.