Waymo and Uber settle trade secrets dispute, Uber CEO expresses 'regret'

Alphabet Inc's Waymo self-driving vehicle unit and ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc settled a bitter legal dispute, allowing Uber's new chief executive to move past one of the company's many public controversies.
The settlement announcement was made just before the fifth day of testimony was about to begin at a jury trial in San Francisco federal court.
Uber agreed to pay equity valued at about $245 million as part of the deal between the rival technology companies, a Waymo representative said.

The settlement also includes an agreement "to ensure that any Waymo confidential information is not being incorporated inUber Advanced Technologies Group hardware and software," a Waymo representative said.

Self-driving cars: Apple working with Hertz to test technology

Apple Inc is leasing a small fleet of cars from rental company Hertz Global Holdings Inc to test self-driving technology, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

Hertz shares were up 13.5 per cent at $10.82, while shares of Apple were slightly down.

Apple is renting Lexus RX450h sport-utility vehicles from Hertz's Donlen fleet-management unit, according to the Bloomberg report, citing documents released recently by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

The iPhone maker is concentrating on technology for self-driving cars, Chief Executive Tim Cook said earlier this month in an interview with Bloomberg.

Hertz declined to comment, while Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Alphabet Inc's self-driving car unit Waymo announced a similar partnership with Avis Budget Group Inc, earlier on Monday, to offer fleet support and maintenance services for its fleet of autonomous vehicles.
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