Uber Lobbyists Push for Laws Requiring Human Drivers Alongside Robotaxis
7 reported
According to documents viewed by WIRED and obtained through public records requests, Uber’s lobbyists are pressing lawmakers to require “hybrid networks” where human drivers work alongside autonomous vehicles. In New Jersey, a lobbyist circulated language that would, for three years, require any platform offering driverless ride-hailing to have human drivers serve 85 percent of its rides. The proposal would likely prevent companies like Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla from operating their own ride-hail apps in the state, forcing them onto another app. In Washington, DC, Uber lobbyist LáVita Gardner emailed a staffer thanking them for committing to allow ride-hail companies to participate in the district’s autonomous vehicle program. Uber spokesperson Noah Edwardsen said the New Jersey proposal was “a compromise we thought could help get something across the finish line” given labor union opposition. Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher said the company “does not support efforts to limit AVs to specific types of networks.” The New Jersey bill is the first proposed in the nation that would limit Tesla’s robotaxis by requiring multiple sensors rather than just cameras.
What’s reported
Uber’s lobbyists have pressed lawmakers to deploy autonomous vehicles on “hybrid networks” with human drivers.
In New Jersey, a lobbyist circulated language requiring any driverless ride-hailing platform to have human drivers serve 85 percent of rides for three years.
The New Jersey bill would require AV developers to use multiple sensors, not just cameras, limiting Tesla’s robotaxis.
In DC, Uber lobbyist LáVita Gardner emailed a staffer thanking them for allowing ride-hail companies to participate in the autonomous vehicle program.
Uber spokesperson Noah Edwardsen said the New Jersey proposal was a compromise to address labor union opposition.
Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher said the company does not support limiting AVs to specific network types.
The New Jersey bill could come up for a vote this fall; the DC bill will have a hearing on Monday.
Key figures
Dara Khosrowshahi, now-CEO of Uber
Travis Kalanick, former Uber CEO
Andrew Zwicker, New Jersey state senator
Ayla Rios, chief of staff to Senator Zwicker
Charles Allen, DC city council member
LáVita Gardner, Uber lobbyist
Noah Edwardsen, Uber spokesperson
Ethan Teicher, Waymo spokesperson
Praveen Neppalli, Uber CTO
Harry Hartfield, Uber director of autonomous vehicles and AI policy
Andrew Macdonald, Uber president and COO
Anthony Levandowski, former Uber AV program head
Sources: Wired
