Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi announced the deal yesterday.


A tragedy in March in which a woman was hit and killed by a self-driving Uber car temporarily halted the company's road tests.

Elaine Herzberg, 49, was detected by the car’s sensors but it’s automatic braking was disabled and the human back-up driver wasn’t looking at the road.

If Uber brought out self-driving cars it would cut the company’s reliance on gig-economy drivers.

Uber lost an appeal which ruled its drivers were employees in London last November, which means its workers should have certain rights such as a minimum wage and holiday pay.

If Uber continues to appeal the decision the case could end up in the Supreme Court.

Toyota is the world’s fifth-biggest company by income, but experts claimed the giant was lagging behind rivals in self-driving technology.

Hans Greimel, Asia editor for Automotive News, said: "They are feeling the pressure and they are really turning their attention towards this field.



Financial analysts said Toyota's investment in Uber valued the ride-hailing company at £55.8billion.