Travis Kalanick thinks Uber screwed up: “Wish we had an autonomous ride-sharing product”

Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick expressed his belief that the company’s decision to abandon its autonomous driving program was a mistake during the Abundance Summit in L.A. He mentioned that the project was on track to surpass Waymo, but new management halted its progress. Kalanick acknowledged the missed opportunity of not having an autonomous ride-sharing product currently available.

In 2020, Uber sold its self-driving unit to Aurora in a reported fire sale, three years after Kalanick’s departure. The decision was made due to the high costs associated with autonomous driving technology. Meanwhile, Waymo’s self-driving cars are already operational in several cities, showcasing the progress made in the autonomous vehicle sector.

Despite partnering with Uber in Austin, Waymo’s success could potentially render Uber’s platform unnecessary in the future. This shift in dynamics could impact Uber’s position in the transportation industry, highlighting the importance of adapting to evolving technologies and partnerships.