AFP, SAN FRANCISCO: A billion-dollar trial pitting Alphabet-owned autonomous driving unit Waymo against Uber starts today, in what could be a blockbuster case between two technology giants over alleged theft of trade secrets.

The San Francisco courtroom battle will take place as Waymo and Uber race to perfect self-driving cars that people could summon for rides as desired in a turn away from car ownership.

The list of witnesses who might be called to testify includes ousted Uber chief Travis Kalanick as well as Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.