Uber VP Who Worked on Autonomous Car Program Steps Down

Sherif Marakby, Uber’s vice president of global vehicle programs, is the latest in a string of executives to leave the ride-hailing company.

Marakby joined Uber just one year ago. He played a key role in launching the company’s autonomous vehicle program in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Self-driving is one of the most interesting challenges I’ve worked on in my career, and I’m grateful to have contributed to what will soon be a safer future for everyone,” Marakby said in a statement.

Prior to joining Uber, Marakby spent 25 years at Ford, most recently as director of global electronics and engineering. Now that he has left Uber, Marakby will take a break before deciding what to do next, a source familiar with the matter told Automotive News.

The departure follows a troublesome few months for Uber. The company has received criticism for “greyballing,” a practice it has vowed to stop, and has faced allegations of a widespread culture of sexual harassment.

Uber’s self-driving program has made some waves, too. The company collided with the state of California when it refused to get a permit for its self-driving vehicles. Also, Waymo is alleging that Uber stole intellectual property related to self-driving cars, although Uber has denied wrongdoing. An Uber spokesperson says Marakby’s departure had nothing to do with the Waymo lawsuit.

A number of big executives have left the company in the past few months. Jeff Jones, former president of Uber, said goodbye after less than a year on the job. Rachel Whetstone, former head of communications, and Gary Marcus, head of Uber’s AI Labs, also left recently.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

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