Google May Launch Uber Fighting Car Service
Uber’s biggest hurdle might not have anything to do with skirting traditional taxi cab licensing laws.
According to a recent report, Google is developing its own competitor to Uber, likely using its driverless car project as a foundation. Google Ventures, which is Google’s venture capital arm, has invested $258 million in Uber with Google’s chief legal officer, David Drummond, joining Uber’s board of directors in 2013. The report says that Drummond told Uber’s board that the tech giant may be preparing its own taxi service and that Google is already testing a ride-sharing app internally.
SEE ALSO: Uber Sued by City of Portland
Google has not been secretive about its desire to revolutionize public transportation, especially though autonomous vehicles. The company has been working on self-driving cars for years and has already created its own prototype vehicle (seen above). If Google does enter the ride-sharing market, it could mean a lot more to Uber than just having another competitor in the segment. Not only does Google have the funds to be competitive within the segment but the company’s smartphones are also used by Uber’s app with Google having access to a plethora of data and information on Uber’s customers and habits.
[Source: Bloomberg]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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