Publisher: Maaal International Media Company
License: 465734
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed that when self-driving vehicles, or robot taxis, become the norm, their human drivers will not be replaced anytime soon.
The CEO explained during a recent appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in an attempt to alleviate the concerns of Uber drivers: “You know, I don’t think you’re going to feel anything about this in the next five years.” These concerns have increased among the ride-hailing company’s drivers after Uber entered into a partnership with Alphabet’s self-driving company Waymo in 2023 and will provide access to self-driving rides in some cities through its app.
Although Uber plans to increase the number of self-driving vehicles in its car rental fleet, Khosrowshahi said that integration will progress slowly, at least over the next decade.
Uber’s CEO explained: I think we will operate in a hybrid network. A mix of largely human drivers, then some self-driving vehicles that will emerge over the next 10 years.
Khosrowshahi said: Ten years from now, things may be different. But in those 10 years, humans will have a lot of work to do, and self-driving cars will make their way into the system.