Big news on the automated vehicle front yesterday, as Google and Uber now seem destined to become competitors in the battle for the future of transportation.
"Google is preparing to offer its own ride-hailing service, most likely in conjunction with its long-in-development driverless car project," reports Brad Stone. The news comes as a surprise given Google Ventures' $258 million investment in Uber back in August 2013. If the report is true, Google and Uber could potentially become fierce competitors in the future transportation market.
According to Stone, David Drummond, Google’s chief legal officer and senior vice president of corporate development, has informed the Uber board of Google's plans. According to Stone's reportage, "Uber executives have seen screenshots of what appears to be a Google ride-sharing app that is currently being used by Google employees."
In related news, John Biggs reported that Uber is partnering with Carnegie Mellon on a robotics research lab in Pittsburgh. Uber published a blog post later in the day confirming Biggs's scoop. According to the post, "[the] partnership will provide a forum for Uber technology leaders to work closely with CMU faculty, staff, and students — both on campus and at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) — to do research and development, primarily in the areas of mapping and vehicle safety and autonomy technology."
For additional commentary on the developing story, Timothy B. Lee adds his take on why Google is making a push into self-driving rental car technology.
FULL STORY: Exclusive: Google Is Developing Its Own Uber Competitor
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