Ride-hailing service Uber is partnering with the University of Arizona to help develop mapping technology and test self-driving cars.
The partnership announced between the San Francisco-based transportation company and the university Tuesday includes a $25,000 grant to the UofA college of optical sciences. That money will help pay for researchers there to develop new lens technology.
Gov. Doug Ducey hailed the new partnership because it can benefit all Arizonans though new jobs, research opportunities, and transportation options.
The move is Uber's latest effort to boost its research into driverless cars.
Uber partnered with Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburg in February on a driverless car research lab. The company also bought digital mapping specialist deCarta in March. That company provides map for many consumer products, including GM's OnStar system.
