Yeah, but whoever is first to market on driverless (e.g., Tesla) has already said they will have a separate network for letting others use your Tesla to subsidize your ownership cost. Aka, your Tesla won't be a part of Uber's driverless fleet.
So, at best, they become a 40-billion dollar driver/rider match-making algorithm and a pretty CRUD app. Unless Uber itself is working on autonomous driving technology. It's so easy for drivers and riders to switch between ridesharing apps (e.g., ever see an Uber driver that also has a Lyft sticker on their car? I have, many times), I don't see how any of them can solidify a competitive advantage of sorts long-term.
Uber's autonomous driving technology was at the core of the Waymo/Uber lawsuit/scandal. I'm a little surprised by how easily Google/Waymo gave up and accepted a settlement.
But looks like I was wrong. They do have a self driving car service running for a group of testers, but apparently it is currently free so I don't think it counts. On the other hand they've got permission to start charging and have said they plan to this year, so I'd still expect them to beat Tesla.
So, at best, they become a 40-billion dollar driver/rider match-making algorithm and a pretty CRUD app. Unless Uber itself is working on autonomous driving technology. It's so easy for drivers and riders to switch between ridesharing apps (e.g., ever see an Uber driver that also has a Lyft sticker on their car? I have, many times), I don't see how any of them can solidify a competitive advantage of sorts long-term.