Uber CEO Pushes for Waymo Partnership to Expand Autonomous Ride Network
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi reveals active discussions with Alphabet's Waymo to integrate their self-driving technology into Uber's ridesharing platform. This potential partnership comes just months after the two companies settled a major trade secret lawsuit.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi reveals that his company holds active discussions with Alphabet's Waymo about integrating self-driving technology into the Uber ridesharing network. This potential collaboration means autonomous vehicles could eventually replace human drivers for picking up and dropping off passengers. Khosrowshahi argues that partnering with the largest global rideshare network allows Waymo to achieve the highest possible utilization for its autonomous cars.
The prospect of a partnership surprises many industry watchers because Uber and Alphabet only recently resolve a bitter legal battle over alleged theft of Waymo's self-driving car secrets. Despite this rocky history, Khosrowshahi insists that a business alliance represents a fundamental necessity for both companies. He emphasizes that the future of autonomous vehicles relies on sharing cars among multiple people to maximize efficiency.
Whether Uber and Waymo actually finalize a deal remains uncertain at this stage. However, both tech giants have plenty of time to negotiate because self-driving cars are not expected to become a ubiquitous presence on roads for several years. In the meantime, Uber continues to develop its own autonomous technology alongside competitors like Apple and General Motors.