Uber Launches Autonomous Taxi Service by 2026

Published 10 hours ago

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Above: Uber signage at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, on Aug. 3, 2025. Image copyright: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Techno-optimist narrative

Autonomous vehicles represent a revolutionary technological advancement and safety breakthrough that will save lives. Studies show AVs could have prevented 1,300 deaths in California alone over three years because they don't drive drunk, speed or get distracted as humans do. These machines will be held to higher safety standards than fallible human drivers, making roads dramatically safer for everyone.

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Techno-skeptic narrative

Robotaxis are destroying livelihoods while putting public safety at risk with their reckless deployment. These vehicles have blocked emergency responders over 60 times, rolled over fire hoses during house fires and killed pets. Meanwhile, human drivers are working longer hours for less pay as tech companies treat San Francisco like their personal testing ground.

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