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This is either a huge victory for Uber or a trojan horse by Google. Google can use this strategy to train users to rely on google maps for Uber. If they see tr

This is either a huge victory for Uber or a trojan horse by Google. Google can use this strategy to train users to rely on google maps for Uber. If they see traction, they can roll out their own competing ride sharing service on top of google maps where they already have built traction and have users by using Uber.

awj 12y ago
Other than a decidedly not-Uber-like experience of throwing ads at a captive rider, I really don't see a reason that Google would be interested in that space.
- rory096 12y ago
  As it stands now I'd agree, but Uber's the first market that'll be overturned by self-driving cars.
  - erichurkman 12y ago
    Google has other realms that could benefit from self-driving cars, not just ride-sharing/taxi. Why have separate fleets of vehicles if you can have one that does taxi services, shopping deliveries, and data collection (street view) at the same time?
  - aetherson 12y ago
    Commercial trucking is the first market that will be overturned by self-driving cars. More predictable routes, do not have to deal with passenger misbehavior, higher total profits to absorb early-on technology costs associated with creating the self-driving vehicle (LIDAR costs and whatnot).
- rm999 12y ago
  Google wishes it wasn't 95+% an ad company. It's a highly profitable space, but it leaves them vulnerable in the long term. Google is entering into the delivery space (Google Shopping Express) and into self-driving cars, both which are similar to or complementary to Uber's business model.
rposborne 12y ago
Not so much there own "ride sharing" but their own automated car fleet. There already have been rumors of Google using the self driving car in this fashion. It would be simple to swap out Uber for a Google Car.
awwstn 12y ago
Google invested $258,000,000 in Uber [1]. Why would they have plans to roll out a competing ride sharing service? [1] http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/google-ventures-puts-258m-into-uber-its-largest-deal-ever/ http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/google-ventures-puts-258m-i...
- toomuchtodo 12y ago
  I'm curious. Why wouldn't google just buy Uber or replicate the technology? I've done IT forever. I know the trap, "How hard can it be?" Google has location data on everyone with Android devices. They have location data used for traffic information. It wouldn't be a leap to use that data to determine hotspots and route drivers.
  - jedberg 12y ago
    Google has a strange disincentive to buy Uber -- since Google Ventures invested, Google really wants someone else's money to provide that exit, otherwise they're just moving money from one pocket to the other.
    - toomuchtodo 12y ago
      Unless the long-term value of Uber is much greater than their $258 million investment. Is it better to exit? Or be the leader in urban mobility (and the revenue that comes with that position)?
      - jedberg 12y ago
        Excellent point that I hadn't considered. In which case I guess it is just a numbers game like you said.
      - jbigelow76 12y ago
        >Or be the leader in urban mobility (and the revenue that comes with that position)? Small nit to pick, Google would be the leader in SUBurban mobility. The leader in urban mobility is the pedestrian (and lesser extent the bike rider). I live, work and for the most part "play" downtown. I already walk to work but Dallas isn't walkable and mass transit dense enough for me to totally ditch car ownership yet; but it is the eventual dream, to not have a car, rather than be driven around by a self driving one. (yes, I fully admit I probably sound like an urban hipster douche, but sometimes you just have to embrace it)

awj 12y ago

Other than a decidedly not-Uber-like experience of throwing ads at a captive rider, I really don't see a reason that Google would be interested in that space.

rory096 12y ago
As it stands now I'd agree, but Uber's the first market that'll be overturned by self-driving cars.
- erichurkman 12y ago
  Google has other realms that could benefit from self-driving cars, not just ride-sharing/taxi. Why have separate fleets of vehicles if you can have one that does taxi services, shopping deliveries, and data collection (street view) at the same time?
- aetherson 12y ago
  Commercial trucking is the first market that will be overturned by self-driving cars. More predictable routes, do not have to deal with passenger misbehavior, higher total profits to absorb early-on technology costs associated with creating the self-driving vehicle (LIDAR costs and whatnot).
rm999 12y ago
Google wishes it wasn't 95+% an ad company. It's a highly profitable space, but it leaves them vulnerable in the long term. Google is entering into the delivery space (Google Shopping Express) and into self-driving cars, both which are similar to or complementary to Uber's business model.

rposborne 12y ago

Not so much there own "ride sharing" but their own automated car fleet. There already have been rumors of Google using the self driving car in this fashion. It would be simple to swap out Uber for a Google Car.

awwstn 12y ago

Google invested $258,000,000 in Uber [1]. Why would they have plans to roll out a competing ride sharing service? [1] http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/google-ventures-puts-258m-into-uber-its-largest-deal-ever/ http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/google-ventures-puts-258m-i...

toomuchtodo 12y ago
I'm curious. Why wouldn't google just buy Uber or replicate the technology? I've done IT forever. I know the trap, "How hard can it be?" Google has location data on everyone with Android devices. They have location data used for traffic information. It wouldn't be a leap to use that data to determine hotspots and route drivers.
- jedberg 12y ago
  Google has a strange disincentive to buy Uber -- since Google Ventures invested, Google really wants someone else's money to provide that exit, otherwise they're just moving money from one pocket to the other.
  - toomuchtodo 12y ago
    Unless the long-term value of Uber is much greater than their $258 million investment. Is it better to exit? Or be the leader in urban mobility (and the revenue that comes with that position)?
    - jedberg 12y ago
      Excellent point that I hadn't considered. In which case I guess it is just a numbers game like you said.
    - jbigelow76 12y ago
      >Or be the leader in urban mobility (and the revenue that comes with that position)? Small nit to pick, Google would be the leader in SUBurban mobility. The leader in urban mobility is the pedestrian (and lesser extent the bike rider). I live, work and for the most part "play" downtown. I already walk to work but Dallas isn't walkable and mass transit dense enough for me to totally ditch car ownership yet; but it is the eventual dream, to not have a car, rather than be driven around by a self driving one. (yes, I fully admit I probably sound like an urban hipster douche, but sometimes you just have to embrace it)