After self-driving cars, Uber set to explore autonomous bikes and scooters

Reopening its self-driving business, global ride-hailing company Uber has hired a "micro-mobility robotics" unit to manage on autonomous bikes and scooters. The group is operating to produce electric scooters and bicycles which can run on their own around cities in order to reach customers and charging points.

Electric scooter and bicycle-sharing services, including Uber's Jump business as well as competitors Bird and Lime, let customers collect the vehicles and then drop them on the sidewalk outside their destination, according to a report.

Although we don't have any further information on the project, online hiring page says it plans to "improve safety, rider experience, and operational efficiency of our shared electric scooters and bicycles through the application of sensing and robotics technologies."

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The business is facing strong competition from the likes of Lime, Lyft and many other players.  The move is likely to help Uber stand out, not to mention ingratiate itself with city officials who would otherwise resist, according to another report.

Uber's self-driving car division was briefly shut down last year after a fatal crash in the US state of Arizona.  A self-driving Volvo SUV from Uber running at the speed of 64 kilometres per hour had killed a woman, causing a heated argument on whether or not autonomous cars are safe enough and who should be accountable for the death.