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Yes, that seems correct from what I've seen. And if self driving can be improved enough, then it will pay off. However, I remain skeptical that he'll be able to

Yes, that seems correct from what I've seen. And if self driving can be improved enough, then it will pay off. However, I remain skeptical that he'll be able to improve it enough to compensate for other deficiencies in the product.

rchaud 2y ago
> And if self driving can be improved enough, then it will pay off. Hasn't Uber been waiting for the same thing to save it?
- heywoods 2y ago
  Uber has been "out" of the self-driving game since end of 2020. The post T.K (Travis Kalanick) era has seen major divesting and shifting of the balance sheet away from longer term bets like self-driving in an attempt to reach profitability & shielding Uber from more risk. Here is a short history of self-driving @ Uber. August '15: Uber announces its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to establish the Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) in Pittsburgh, focusing on self-driving technology research and development. May '16: Uber begins testing its self-driving Ford Fusion vehicles in Pittsburgh, marking its first public demonstration of autonomous vehicle technology. August '16: Uber acquires Otto, a self-driving truck startup founded by former Google engineers. This ended up with a lawsuit over stolen IP that was a large setback from what I remember. Sept. '16: Uber launches its first self-driving ride-hailing service in Pittsburgh, using a fleet of modified Ford Fusion's. Safety drivers are present in each car to take control if needed. December '16: Uber starts testing its self-driving cars in San Francisco without obtaining the necessary permits from the CA DMV. The DMV revokes the registration of Uber's test vehicles, forcing the company to halt its operations in the city. March '17: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in Arizona, taking advantage of the state's friendly regulations for autonomous vehicle testing. March '18: A fatal accident occurs in Tempe, Arizona, when an Uber self-driving vehicle strikes and kills a pedestrian. Uber suspends its self-driving testing program across all cities in the aftermath of the incident. July '18: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in Pittsburgh, with additional safety measures and limitations on the vehicles' operating conditions. March '19: Uber receives a $1 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund, Toyota, and DENSO for its self-driving unit, valuing the division at $7.25 billion. June '19: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in San Francisco, having obtained the necessary permits from the California DMV. Dec '20: Uber sells its ATG division to Aurora, a self-driving vehicle startup, in a deal valued at $4 billion. As part of the agreement, Uber invests $400 million in Aurora and retains a 26% stake in the combined company.

rchaud 2y ago

> And if self driving can be improved enough, then it will pay off. Hasn't Uber been waiting for the same thing to save it?

heywoods 2y ago
Uber has been "out" of the self-driving game since end of 2020. The post T.K (Travis Kalanick) era has seen major divesting and shifting of the balance sheet away from longer term bets like self-driving in an attempt to reach profitability & shielding Uber from more risk. Here is a short history of self-driving @ Uber. August '15: Uber announces its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to establish the Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) in Pittsburgh, focusing on self-driving technology research and development. May '16: Uber begins testing its self-driving Ford Fusion vehicles in Pittsburgh, marking its first public demonstration of autonomous vehicle technology. August '16: Uber acquires Otto, a self-driving truck startup founded by former Google engineers. This ended up with a lawsuit over stolen IP that was a large setback from what I remember. Sept. '16: Uber launches its first self-driving ride-hailing service in Pittsburgh, using a fleet of modified Ford Fusion's. Safety drivers are present in each car to take control if needed. December '16: Uber starts testing its self-driving cars in San Francisco without obtaining the necessary permits from the CA DMV. The DMV revokes the registration of Uber's test vehicles, forcing the company to halt its operations in the city. March '17: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in Arizona, taking advantage of the state's friendly regulations for autonomous vehicle testing. March '18: A fatal accident occurs in Tempe, Arizona, when an Uber self-driving vehicle strikes and kills a pedestrian. Uber suspends its self-driving testing program across all cities in the aftermath of the incident. July '18: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in Pittsburgh, with additional safety measures and limitations on the vehicles' operating conditions. March '19: Uber receives a $1 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund, Toyota, and DENSO for its self-driving unit, valuing the division at $7.25 billion. June '19: Uber resumes its self-driving tests in San Francisco, having obtained the necessary permits from the California DMV. Dec '20: Uber sells its ATG division to Aurora, a self-driving vehicle startup, in a deal valued at $4 billion. As part of the agreement, Uber invests $400 million in Aurora and retains a 26% stake in the combined company.