After Uber Exodus, Carnegie Mellon Lands $11M in Contracts

The computer science dean called the exodus a crisis.

Carnegie Mellon University as seen from the Cathedral of Learning in August 2015.
Carnegie Mellon University as seen from the Cathedral of Learning in August 2015.
Wikipedia

Carnegie Mellon University says its robotics engineering center in Pittsburgh is flourishing a year after Uber Technologies hired away dozens of its researchers and scientists.

The university Monday announced four federal research contracts worth $11 million.

One contract calls for developing technology enabling wheels to transform into tracks. Vehicles could then traverse various terrains.

Another contract calls for developing automation that would let aircraft operate with smaller crews.

The San Francisco-based ride-hailing company hired four of the robotics center's faculty and 36 technical staff last year. Officials say Uber is interested in self-driving technology.

The computer science dean called the exodus a crisis. The center has added 10 staff members and expects to hire five to 10 more in the coming months.

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