Even if self-driving cars were ready right now, why would Lyft or Uber have an advantage? In theory, their current competitive edge over taxi services comes fro

Even if self-driving cars were ready right now, why would Lyft or Uber have an advantage? In theory, their current competitive edge over taxi services comes from pushing externalities to drivers. If they had to worry about owning and maintaining all their cars, suddenly they're in a new and very capital-intensive line of business. I'd expect at least one of the established rental car chains- which have physical infrastructure like motor pools, mechanics and relationships with local auto shops, and logistics experience with all of the above- to eat Uber's lunch! Every way I look at it, work on self-driving technology by rideshare companies is 100% smoke and mirrors to drive investment, and not a serious business plan.