Uber is strategically partnering with driver unions to fight against the rapid expansion of pure driverless robotaxi fleets in the US, a move that appears ironic given its history of clashes with drivers over pay and working conditions. The company is backing proposals, for example, in New Jersey to require robotaxi services to have a human driver in at least 85% of trips during a pilot period, and supporting a bill to block autonomous vehicles in Washington, D.C.
This unexpected alliance is driven by Uber's self-interest in preventing a monopoly by companies like Waymo, which operate entirely driverless fleets and could cut Uber out of the ride-hailing market. Uber aims to ensure a "hybrid network" model, where both human drivers and robotaxis are utilized, thereby preserving its role as an aggregator. The company has acknowledged that robotaxis are already leading to declining rides and earnings for human drivers in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Despite this pro-driver stance in the US, Uber is aggressively expanding its own robotaxi operations internationally. It launched robotaxi services in London with Wayve, starting with 15 cars and safety drivers, and plans to have robotaxis in 15 cities globally by the end of the year. This dual strategy reflects Uber's attempt to rapidly scale its self-driving offerings while simultaneously slowing down competitors and maintaining its market position.
