There's a road race going on between two unlikely
competitors: Google and Uber. And it's heating up.
Google is said to be developing an app-based ride
sharing service, more or less just like Uber, according to
Bloomberg.com. The difference is that Google might be
developing the service in conjunction with its self-driving
car project .
Meanwhile, Uber announced that it has partnered with
Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University to create the
Uber Advanced Technologies Center. The goal is to
develop automobile technologies such as self-driving
cars.
Take that, Google.
Related: Google Reportedly Preparing to Launch Ride-
Hailing Service
While competition is arguably the lifeblood of business,
what's interesting about this matchup is that Google's
investment arm, Google Ventures, dropped $258 million
on Uber in 2013, and more the following year.
Some thought Google might have wanted to acquire
Uber. Instead, it looks like the two companies are " going
to war ," as Bloomberg described it.
For Uber drivers -- whose pay has been a hot topic -- an
unmanned taxi service replacing human jobs is sure to
signal some unrest. Sometimes innovation is the stiffest
competition.
Related: These Are the Best Cities for Uber and Lyft
Drivers (Infographic)
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