Volvo and Uber struck a deal for 24,000 self-drive cars

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Photo credits: Getty Images

Uber has struck a deal to buy up to 24,000 self-driving cars from Volvo.

The agreement anticipates that the pick-up service will purchase the vehicles over the course of three years beginning in 2019.

Uber began testing prototypes made by the carmaker last year in the US.

One expert said the announcement "makes a good headline" but had doubts that fully autonomous, driverless Uber rides would be ready to begin until some years later.

Uber and Volvo have not disclosed financial terms, but have confirmed that the deal is "non-exclusive" - meaning both are free to form similar partnerships with others.

Chinese company Geely bought Volvo from Ford in 2010.

Assuming Uber buys all 24,000 XC90 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) outlined in the agreement, the deal could be worth $1.4bn (£1.1bn), according to an estimate by the Financial Times.

However, under their pre-existing agreement, Uber already uses various customised Volvo vehicles - which include some of the carmaker's own self-drive hardware - and then adds on its own proprietary artificial intelligence technologies.

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