Uber's self-driving cars return to San Francisco for mapping purposes

Amy Hollyfield Image
ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Uber's self-driving cars return to SF for mapping purposes
Uber's self-driving cars are back on the streets in San Francisco. Uber pulled the cars last month in a dispute over permits.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Uber's self-driving cars are expected to get back on the streets in San Francisco. Uber pulled the autonomous cars last month after getting in a dispute with the city and state over permits.

Uber's high-tech Ford Fusions will be manually driven and the self-driving option will not be used. They will be using them to map the city, a step many see as an indication that Uber does plan to use the self-driving cars again.

RELATED: CA regulators say Uber must stop self-driving car service in SF

Uber launched self-driving vehicles last month, but had to stop using them when city and state officials said Uber needed a state permit. Uber claimed it didn't need one because it had a driver in the car. The DMV is ok with these Fusions hitting the streets today because they will be used for mapping the city.