Well, this is pretty much what we expected all along. Uber’s endgame is to be rid of its international army of hard-working drivers as it controversially implements its own range of driverless cars.

To put it another way: Uber is about to disrupt its own disruptive technology. For all those that have fretted over the rise of the machines, this is one of the biggest signals yet… and it’s happening next week.

Next week!

 

They're boxy, but they're good

 

As of 1 September, Uber users in Pittsburgh will order their ride via the app as they usually would, but there is a chance one of a fleet of Volvo CX90s staffed by two engineers (one behind the wheel in order to take over in case of an emergency). With a reputation built on safety, the Volvos are a clever choice.

In an interview with Business Insider, Uber’s Meat-based CEO, Travis Kalanick discussed the inevitable evolution of the company, but also described the fragility of the company than many consider a behemoth poised for global domination:

““If we are not tied for first, then the person who is in first, or the enemy that’s in first, then rolls out a ride-sharing network that is far cheaper or far higher quality than Uber’s, then Uber is no longer a thing,”

 

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick

 

Kalanick is looking over his shoulder at the other big players: Google, Apple and Tesla. Kalanick is right to be worried that, given Uber’s comparatively narrow scope for revenue, the smallest threat from the giant of Silicon Valley is a serious one.

That’s the big picture. How the cars can resolve moral dilemmas such as ‘The Trolley Problem’ will be the real challenge for companies such as Uber and Tesla, as well as the local jurisdictions in which these vehicles operate.

 

Two examples of the famous 'Trolley Problem'