[ProblemFactory]

> Without self-driving cars, that strategy isn't sustainable, and so eventually Uber will find itself unable to maintain its advantage over Lyft.

I see the "Uber is a bet on self-driving cars" coming up in every discussion about their business plan. But even if that's true, why is there an assumption that Uber would have a monopoly on self-driving cars?

Google, every car manufacturer, and a whole series of startups and universities are working on self-driving technology. If for example Google perfects it first, they will sell licenses to car manufacturers, who in turn will sell cars to Uber, Lyft, and every taxi company in every city of the world. Even if Uber develops the technology first and keeps it to themselves - then others cannot be too far behind, the potential payoff is just too great.

In the end the situation is just the same as now.

[nomnombunty]

I totally agree with you. I don't think Uber would have a monopoly on self driving cars. In terms of the tech, they are definitely not ahead of e.g. Google. According to this TechCrunch article [1] their self driving cars require human intervention every minute.

[1]: https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/16/uber-recode-leaked-autonom...