So yesterday, Uber CEO Dara?Khosrowshahi had quite an interview. He talked about many things, such as overcoming recent scandals that plagued his predecessor. But one topic has the IT service world world talking. Is the ride sharing era over? Uber CEO says yes.
Also, Khosrowshahi’s latest purchases are backing his words. First, they got Jump Bikes, an electric bike sharing app and firm. Then they have Uber Rent. And now, they’re launching an electric scooter service. So why is Uber making these moves? Because Krosrowshahi says within a few years, ride sharing apps will be a thing of the past.
He says e-scooters are a couple of years away. He also says we’re 5-10 years away from flying Ubers and flying taxi. They’re already working on space technology, air technology, and getting investments to make this happen. Don’t think this will be a service for the rich either. They want everyone to enjoy these flying ride shares. But this dream of his goes even further. The Uber CEO believes this will get rid of road traffic and have environmental benefits. However, this dream goes even further. Because they want to be the Amazon of daily travel. He told the audience that in 10 years, he wants nobody in that audience to even own a car.
Do you think it’s impossible? Let me take you back to 10 years ago. Did you think ride sharing apps were possible? In fact, they were just coming out with apps period. As recent as 2010, there was no Uber. Here in Boston, near our computer service shop, everybody used taxis. But in less than a decade, most people switched from taxis to Uber. In the next 10 years, there is no telling where we’ll be heading. Maybe flying to work every day isn’t as Jetson as we think. The ride sharing era is only five or six years old. Is the ride sharing era over?