However, as the technology improves and becomes cheaper, this could change. Regulatory hurdles and safety concerns could slow the rollout of robotaxis, and it's difficult to predict how quickly they will spread across the US. Some experts believe it could take at least a decade for robotaxis to significantly reduce operating costs and scale up their fleets. Despite these challenges, the potential impact on drivers' earnings is a growing concern.
Key takeaways:
- Competition from driverless taxis could reduce Uber and Lyft drivers' earnings in the future, as the technology becomes cheaper and more widespread.
- Many drivers have already reported a decrease in profitability due to increased competition in the ride-hailing market.
- Despite the potential threat, the rollout of robotaxis could be slowed by regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and a potential preference among riders for human drivers.
- Experts estimate it could take a decade for robotaxi companies to significantly reduce operating costs and scale up their fleets, suggesting that the impact on ride-hailing drivers may not be immediate.