Uber’s own goal. The arrival of robotaxis is prompting innovators to put up barriers

Born as fire-starters, dying as firefighters: perhaps this is the fate of all innovators. Their success stems from their ability to sweep aside those who came before them, but once they have achieved it, they themselves become the establishment. Nevertheless, it is rather striking to see that today it is Uber – one of the most dynamic innovators of the last two decades – that has switched sides. For a long time, Uber waged war on taxis (and vice versa) and never held back on its attacks – some of them vigorous – against the regulators who were blocking its access to the market. Now, however, the ride-sharing company is forging alliances with its former enemies to tackle the new competitor: robotaxis.

In the United States, at both local and federal levels, the company led by Dara Khosrowshahi has come out in favour of stricter regulations on autonomous driving, including in alliance with taxi drivers’ unions. This stance may seem surprising, but it can be explained by the transformation of the market: Uber has not developed its own proprietary autonomous technology capable of keeping pace with industry leaders such as Waymo, and has instead chosen to build a network of partnerships with companies developing autonomous driving systems. In short, it has not remained on the sidelines of the robotaxi market: it is approaching it in a different way. This is demonstrated by its numerous partnerships and investments in the sector, including its investment in Atoms, founded by Travis Kalanick. But this is precisely why it is interesting to observe how, whilst seeking to carve out its own role in the new market, Uber is advocating regulations that could slow down the entry of competitors. This stance, said Chairman Andrew Macdonald, “may seem ironic”. In truth, there is nothing to laugh about and, in some respects, nothing surprising either. It is normal for market incumbents to try to defend their turf. And it is equally normal for today’s innovators to set about sweeping aside those who were once innovators but are no longer so. It is the circle of life. And of the market.