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Uber does not seem to care much about its reputation in its rush to own autonomous transport. When self-driving cars are ubiquitous in a decade or two, I wonder
by rm_-rf_slash 11y ago
Uber does not seem to care much about its reputation in its rush to own autonomous transport. When self-driving cars are ubiquitous in a decade or two, I wonder, will decent folks still opt for the biggest bully in a crowded room?
- mathattack 11y agoIf there's a near monopoly, most people don't worry about whether or not it was a bully to get there. (Once can look beyond current tech companies to oil and telecom) This isn't a moral judgment, just an observation on consumer preferences.
- rm_-rf_slash 11y agoConsolidated monopolies like oil and telecoms make sense because they require huge infrastructure investments. In all reality, the cost of cloning uber in any city with enough cars and smartphones is not out of reach. Personally, I prefer to ride with Lyft: the drivers seem like people and I always have interesting conversations. There is an air of resentment in every Uber ride for me, and I find it detracts from the experience.
- kabouseng 11y agoHalo effect at play perhaps?
- ojego 11y agoLooking at other industries: probably yes. That said, I think Uber will fuck themselves hard, and that Uber's robotics efforts will be viewed as a massive mistake within the next ten years. This is a situation where they should buy or borrow, but they're trying to build out of greed. Autonomous driving technology is not going to be a differentiator. It's going to be a commodity. Everybody will have it. Investing heavily in a commodity product is a waste of money. But it's exactly the sort of mistake that one could expect an egotistical asshole like Travis to make. Uber won't be dead in ten years; they'll be the myspace of transportation. I guarantee it.
- kabouseng 11y agoMuch like web search is a commodity these days...
- therobot24 11y agoUber has put NREC's previous employee's on a tight deadline, in an attempt to almost literally throw money at the problem to be one of firsts to market. Assuming it works, they'll be one step ahead of the competition. If they continue to invest and innovate they won't be the myspace of transportation.