HYPR is testing its self-learning autonomous driving system in a modified Daimler Smart Car. As Zoox, the secretive robotaxi developer recently acquired by Amazon, gets ready to unveil its futuristic fleet vehicle, its former CEO who dreamed up the company is re-emerging with a new startup that's designing AI-enabled software he hopes will allow cars to "teach themselves" to drive. Early-stage HYPR, created by Zoox cofounder Tim Kentley Klay, says it's using reinforcement learning, a branch of machine learning that utilizes a reward-based approach, to train driving algorithms dynamically–ideally with no need for direct human instruction or supervision. The Alameda, California-based startup has raised a $10 million seed round and begun testing its approach with a modified Daimler Smart Car. Backers include R7 Ventures and Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest.