Waymo already has its own app: Waymo One. Most rides happen through it, not via Uber. I think you overestimate the effort to create and manage one. It's rather simple (technically speaking), a trivial task in comparison to developing the self driving technology.
It's not a question of whether Waymo will directly compete with Uber, but whether buyers will migrate. I believe it boils down to how many competitors will end up providing robotaxis. If it's just one or two, why open Uber when you already know you want a Waymo or a Tesla Robotaxi? The custom apps will definitely have better integrations (e.g. control the music in the car). Uber is only advantaged if there end up being many players in the space and have to compete on price / for buyers.
I personally believe there won't be many players in the space. 2, max. One with a clear better safety track record, and one which - lacking better safety record -, will have to price itself lower.
You're not wrong but I think you're underestimating the utilization piece as it related to Waymo One's network. Let's take SF and LA as an example. Waymo vehicles only spend 25% of their time on revenue generating rides given its fixed supply. Uber can/does flex supply based on time of day/year/etc.
Waymo already has its own app: Waymo One. Most rides happen through it, not via Uber. I think you overestimate the effort to create and manage one. It's rather simple (technically speaking), a trivial task in comparison to developing the self driving technology.
It's not a question of whether Waymo will directly compete with Uber, but whether buyers will migrate. I believe it boils down to how many competitors will end up providing robotaxis. If it's just one or two, why open Uber when you already know you want a Waymo or a Tesla Robotaxi? The custom apps will definitely have better integrations (e.g. control the music in the car). Uber is only advantaged if there end up being many players in the space and have to compete on price / for buyers.
I personally believe there won't be many players in the space. 2, max. One with a clear better safety track record, and one which - lacking better safety record -, will have to price itself lower.
You're not wrong but I think you're underestimating the utilization piece as it related to Waymo One's network. Let's take SF and LA as an example. Waymo vehicles only spend 25% of their time on revenue generating rides given its fixed supply. Uber can/does flex supply based on time of day/year/etc.
Some data in this thread: https://x.com/wintonARK/status/1902613971733237772
(if you have more recent data I'd love to see it)
Interesting. Time will tell how it unfolds
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Interesting read, if anyone is interested I did a more in depth analysis over on my page https://rootcapital.substack.com/p/why-uber-is-perfectly-positioned?r=hhk7e
Thanks for sharing