Uber Technologies Inc. today took the covers off a new self-driving vehicle that will start hitting public roads in 2020.

The model (pictured) is the third autonomous prototype the company has developed so far as part of its partnership with Volvo AB. It’s based on the Swedish automaker’s XC90 sport utility vehicle, which is also basis for all the existing self-driving taxis currently being tested by Uber. The ride-hailing provider plans to order as many as 24,000 XC90s from Volvo in the coming years to build a massive fleet of autonomous taxis.

The new third-generation prototype brings Uber’s vision a step closer to reality. Whereas the company’s earlier XC90s require a safety driver to sit behind the wheel, this latest model is designed to eventually operate with full autonomy. It’s unclear exactly when that will come to pass, but Uber and Volvo are already starting to lay the necessary technical groundwork.

The companies will build the SUV’s autonomous systems into the car frame during manufacturing rather than through a retrofit as before. The additional hardware includes an expansive array of sensors and heavily-upgraded safety mechanisms. Uber has equipped the XC90 with redundant steering and braking systems, plus backup battery power, that will allow the SUV to bring itself to a stop even in the event of hardware failures.

The new backup mechanisms build on the safety improvements that Uber rolled out across its self-driving car fleet last year. The changes were implemented after one of the company’s autonomous vehicles fatally struck a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona.

Safety concerns will also be front and center in Uber’s other moonshot transportation projects. Alongside the unveiling of the third-generation XC90, the company revealed that it will begin testing flying taxis in Melbourne, Australia, next year as preparation for an eventual commercial launch. And last week, Uber announced that it will offer helicopter rides in New York starting next month.

Photo: Uber