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Uber CEO makes a scary prediction: ride-hailing drivers' days are numbered! Research confirms the trend, and the future of transportation is closer than we think.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said that the company's driver profession could be eliminated within 20 years, replaced by autonomous vehicles that promise greater safety and efficiency.
Currently, the ride-hailing market employs millions of drivers around the world.
Our United States, there are more than seven million people who depend on this activity for their livelihood.
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In Brazil, the reality is similar: According to data from the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Ipea), around 1,5 million Brazilians work as app drivers.
However, this reality may be on its last legs, as investments in autonomous technology advance.
Artificial intelligence in command: will drivers be dispensable?
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Khosrowshahi stated that “In 15 or 20 years, self-driving cars will be better than any human driver”.
He argues that these vehicles will be trained on data from millions of drivers, accumulating experience that would take a human lifetime to gain.
“Machines don’t get distracted, they don’t get tired and they are more accurate”, highlighted the executive.
This prediction reflects a trend already underway, with advanced testing of self-driving cars in cities like San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Studies point out advantages and challenges
Researchers at the University of California analyzed 2.100 accidents involving autonomous vehicles and 35.000 involving human drivers.
The data suggests that cars without human drivers adopt better safety precautions in most cases.
However, they are more prone to accidents at night or in situations with poor visibility.
Khosrowshahi acknowledges that the transition will be gradual but inevitable.
The first step is already happening, with the implementation of autonomous fleets in some regions.
In Las Vegas, for example, there are already cars without human drivers operating on specific routes, such as between the airport and downtown.
In Brazil, there are still no plans for mass testing of autonomous vehicles, but companies in the sector are closely monitoring the development of this technology.
Brazilian legislation will need to evolve to allow the circulation of these vehicles in cities, especially in metropolises such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where app-based transportation is an essential alternative.
Uber is already preparing for this revolution
The company has invested heavily in autonomous driving technology, establishing partnerships with industry giants.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (owner of Google), is already making its cars available to Uber passengers in San Francisco.
Other automakers, such as Tesla and General Motors, are also in the race to dominate this market.
The initial strategy is to combine human drivers and autonomous cars in a hybrid network.
In the next 10 years, some of the journeys will be made by robots, while humans will be left with the more complex routes.
But, according to Khosrowshahi, the trend is for autonomous vehicles to gain ground irreversibly.
The impact on employment and the economy
the replacement of drivers by robots can have profound social consequences.
Today, working as an app driver is one of the main options for those looking for extra income or a main activity with flexibility.
With automation, millions of people could lose this source of livelihood.
Experts argue that new opportunities will emerge with the advancement of technology, but the transition can be painful for many professionals.
Governments and companies will need to think of solutions to retrain workers and minimize the impact of this change.
In Brazil, where unemployment is still an economic challenge, this issue becomes even more sensitive.
For experts, Uber is betting on the future of self-driving cars, and Khosrowshahi's prediction indicates that human drivers may have their days numbered.
However, technical, regulatory and social challenges still need to be overcome before the technology completely dominates the market.
Meanwhile, The profession of app driver remains relevant, but the future points to an increasingly digital and automated path.
