Uber Lobbies to Slow Rival Robotaxi Apps via Legislation
Original: Uber’s Autonomous Vehicle Strategy: Slow Their Adoption
Why This Matters
Uber's legislative strategy could reshape AV market access and competitive dynamics across the US.
Uber's lobbyists are pushing legislation in New Jersey and Washington, DC, that would require ride-hail platforms offering driverless services to have human drivers handle 85% of rides for three years, potentially blocking Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla from operating standalone robotaxi apps.
According to documents viewed by WIRED and obtained via public records requests, Uber's lobbyists are pressing lawmakers to require autonomous vehicle operators to deploy on 'hybrid networks' — platforms where human drivers work alongside robotaxis as the technology scales. In New Jersey, an Uber lobbyist circulated legislative language that would mandate any driverless ride-hail platform to have human drivers serve 85% of rides for three years. This would effectively force AV developers such as Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla to partner with existing ride-hail platforms rather than operate independent apps. The proposed language was pitched to New Jersey state senator Andrew Zwicker, sponsor of a bill that could come to a vote this fall, though the 85% provision is not currently included. The New Jersey bill also separately restricts Tesla's camera-only sensor approach and requires emergency steering and brake controls. Uber, which has signed agreements with more than 25 robotaxi operators including Waymo, Nuro, and Baidu's services, frames its lobbying as fighting monopolies. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated in 2024 that Uber aims to be 'the go-to commercial platform' for all AV players globally.