Skip to main content

Uber Is About To Be Disrupted By Autonomous Vehicles: Tesla's FSD and Waymo

Uber, as we know it, is about to be disrupted, and it's going to come in the form of Tesla's FSD and Waymo.
Uber Is About To Be Disrupted By Autonomous Vehicles: Tesla's FSD and Waymo

Linus, an expert on AI trends, shares his thoughts and experiences with Uber human drivers and Waymo autonomous vehicles, sharing his opinion that Uber's days are numbered with Waymo and Tesla's FSD autonomous vehicles growing in usage and providing a better experience. This is even more clear today with Elon Musk announcing a robotaxi unveil on 8/8/2024 - in about 4 months from this article.

In the bustling streets of San Francisco, the future of urban mobility is unfolding. My recent experiences with Uber and Waymo, two front-runners in the race towards revolutionizing transportation, have led me to a bold conclusion: Uber, as we know it, is on its way out, and the era of autonomous, electric vehicles is upon us.

During a week-long stay in San Francisco, I alternated between using Uber, Waymo, and FSD Teslas for my commutes. Each ride offered a distinct glimpse into the current state and potential future of personal transportation.

Key Points:

  • The author, Linus, compares their experiences using Uber and Waymo in San Francisco, with a clear preference for Waymo's autonomous rides.
  • An alarming Uber ride highlighted the unpredictability of human drivers.
  • Waymo provided a near-perfect service, with a minor hiccup easily resolved, showcasing the reliability of autonomous technology.
  • Waymo's vision is likened to an automated world where autonomous vehicles streamline transportation.
  • The privacy and reimagined concept of cars with Waymo offer a glimpse into a future of efficient, driverless mobility.
  • The transition to autonomous vehicles could significantly reduce the need for parking and the number of cars on the road, marking a monumental shift for urban transportation.

A Wake-Up Call with Uber

My journey to the airport with Uber was nothing short of a thriller. The ride was fraught with erratic driving, including veering out of lanes and a near-miss on a ramp.

This experience underscored the unpredictable nature of human-operated vehicles and the potential safety hazards they pose.

Seamless Journeys with Waymo

Contrastingly, my rides with Waymo were a breath of fresh air. The autonomous vehicle maneuvered through the city with precision and caution, offering a smooth and stress-free experience.

A minor hiccup occurred when the vehicle mistook parked cars for a queue at a red light, but it quickly corrected itself, adding a touch of amusement to the ride.

Waymo's approach to urban mobility is transformative. The company envisions a world where streets resemble automated Amazon warehouses, with autonomous vehicles efficiently transporting people much like robots handle packages.

This vision promises to make personal transportation incredibly affordable and accessible.

You May Also Like: Tesla FSD Avoids Oncoming Truck By Driving Up On a Curb To the Right

The Private and Redefined Car Experience

One of Waymo's most appealing features is the privacy it offers. Unlike rides with Uber, where passengers are often subjected to drivers' loud conversations, Waymo provides a secluded space.

This allows for confidential phone calls or uninterrupted chats with fellow passengers, making each journey a private affair.

Furthermore, Waymo challenges traditional car designs by eliminating the need for a driver. This opens up creative possibilities for vehicle interiors, such as reoriented passenger seats or a more communal, living-room-like setup.

The future of car design, inspired by autonomous technology, is set to diverge significantly from today's models.

Simplifying Complex Routes

Waymo also promises to streamline journeys that currently involve a combination of Uber rides and public transportation, especially to destinations outside typical transit routes.

This could lead to a more efficient and straightforward "Waymo-only" travel model.

The Private and Redefined Car Experience

One of Waymo's most appealing features is the privacy it offers. Unlike rides with Uber, where passengers are often subjected to drivers' loud conversations, Waymo provides a secluded space.

This allows for confidential phone calls or uninterrupted chats with fellow passengers, making each journey a private affair.

Furthermore, Waymo challenges traditional car designs by eliminating the need for a driver. This opens up creative possibilities for vehicle interiors, such as reoriented passenger seats or a more communal, living-room-like setup.

The future of car design, inspired by autonomous technology, is set to diverge significantly from today's models.

Simplifying Complex Routes

Waymo also promises to streamline journeys that currently involve a combination of Uber rides and public transportation, especially to destinations outside typical transit routes.

This could lead to a more efficient and straightforward "Waymo-only" travel model.

I'll add to this that Tesla's FSD software will eventually surpass Waymo due to using human vision and neural nets, able to function anywhere instead of predefined areas. Nevertheless, Waymo is still an impressive and useful technology - just hard to scale and expensive.

For Further Reading: Tesla's FSD and "The Trolley Problem": How Will Autonomous Cars Handle Complex Situations Where a Crash Can't Be Avoided?

What do you think about Uber being disrupted by Waymo and Tesla - will this happen, or will Uber adapt?

Share this article with friends and family and on social media - or leave a comment below. You can view my most recent articles here for further reading. I am also on X/Twitter where I post more than just articles daily, as well as LinkedIn! Thank you so much for your support!

Hi! I'm Jeremy Noel Johnson, and I am a Tesla investor and supporter and own a 2022 Model 3 RWD EV and I don't have range anxiety :). I enjoy bringing you breaking Tesla news as well as anything about Tesla or other EV companies I can find, like Aptera. Other interests of mine are AI, Tesla Energy and the Tesla Bot! You can follow me on X.COM or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow my Tesla and EV news coverage.

Image Credit: kjzz.org

Article Reference: Linus

Auto Sector Stocks
Automotive News
Electric Vehicle News and Reviews
Tesla