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'We're Just Rentals': Uber Drivers Ask Where They Fit In a Self-Driving Future (theguardian.com)

Bloomberg reported on Thursday about Uber's plan to bring its first fleet of self-driving cars to Pittsburgh as soon as this month, a move that has since been confirmed by the cab-hailing company. Amid the announcement, Uber drivers are disappointed at Uber, wondering what the future of the company lies for them. The Guardian reports:"Wo-o-o-o-w," 60-year old Uber driver Cynthia Ingram said. "We all knew it was coming. I just didn't expect it this soon." For Ingram, autonomous Ubers are an unwelcome threat to her livelihood. "I kind of figured it would be a couple more years down the line before it was really implemented and I'll be retired by then," she said. A paralegal with 30 years experience, Ingram began driving for Uber and Lyft in June 2015 when she lost her job. She said that she loves driving for Uber, though she has struggled to make ends meet. Rob Judge, 41, was also concerned with the announcement. "It feels like we're just rentals. We're kind of like placeholders until the technology comes out." A longtime customer service representative, Judge began driving for Uber three months ago to make money while he looks for other work. "For me personally, this isn't a long term stop," he added. "But for a lot of other people that I've connected with, this is their only means."

3 of 367 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Bullshit by TheSync · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not only are there a lot of fruits/vegetables that still have to be hand picked

    See Robotic Fruit Picking

  2. Re:Humans Need Not Apply by Rinikusu · · Score: 3, Funny

    People will still need blowjobs and other orifices to fill. Even though sexbots and AI will severely cut into it, there's still plenty of rich folks who'd love a live human to treat like garbage. Pucker up, fuckers.

    --
    If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
  3. Re: Some of us... by Obfuscant · · Score: 1, Funny

    I don't pay $10,000 per year for electricity, and the brainwaves of most posters here wouldn't power my house for two minutes. If you think that solar and wind power generation will be expensive, they won't hold a candle to the cost of brainwave power.