Uber to build autonomous-vehicle research center in Michigan

Michigan is the new hot spot for autonomous vehicle development, and Uber is ready to jump on the bandwagon with a new research center.

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Uber will open an autonomous-vehicle research center in Wixom, Michigan, by the end of March, the company said at the Automotive News World Congress symposium. It will be using an existing structure on Cartier Drive, instead of building something from the ground up, to speed up its arrival.

After California told Uber it couldn't just do whatever it wanted without applying for the right permits, Uber took its toys and went to a different sandbox.Photo by Uber

Fox 2 Detroit claims that Uber's investment in Wixom will create approximately 120 jobs, which is better than nothing. The company reportedly chose Wixom because of its proximity to research universities and other companies in the auto industry.

Michigan is really the place to be when it comes to developing self-driving cars. Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation that puts Michigan at the forefront of autonomous development and testing. It's now legal to test and use self-driving (and completely driverless) cars on public roads, and the state also legalized truck platoons and autonomous ride-sharing efforts.

It was such a strong introduction to autonomous development that General Motors quickly announced its intention to develop and build autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EVs in Michigan.

If there's one thing Uber could use right now, it's a state that's willing to put up with its insistence to hustle through the development stage. Uber recently brought a fleet of self-driving Volvo XC90s to California, only to move them all to Arizona after The Golden State pointed out that Uber basically ignored regulations.

Arizona's autonomous legislation is less comprehensive than Michigan's, so those Uber-branded XC90s might be rolling down Woodward Avenue in the near future.