Uber once viewed autonomous vehicles as an existential threat to its ride-hailing business, but now it is lobbying to slow their adoption through legislation. According to documents viewed by WIRED and a public records request, Uber's representatives are pressing lawmakers to deploy autonomous vehicles on what it calls "hybrid networks," where human drivers work alongside robots as the new technology grows. The strategy, first articulated by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in 2024, positions Uber as the commercial platform for all robotaxi players rather than building its own self-driving cars.
The Hybrid Network Lobbying Push
In New Jersey, a lobbyist representing Uber circulated legislative language that would, for a period of three years, require any platform offering driverless ride-hailing services to have human drivers serve 85 percent of its rides. The language would likely prevent self-driving vehicle developers, including Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla, from operating their own ride-hail apps in the state—effectively forcing them onto another ride-hail app if they hope to enter the market. A representative for Uber pitched a version of the proposal to New Jersey state senator Andrew Zwicker, according to his chief of staff, Ayla Rios. Zwicker is the sponsor of a bill currently being considered by the state legislature that would establish New Jersey's first set of rules governing self-driving cars on public roads. The Uber lobbyists' proposed language is not currently part of the bill, which could come up for a vote this fall.
The New Jersey bill is the first proposed in the nation that would limit the operation of Tesla's robotaxis, because it requires AV developers to use multiple sensors to power its software, rather than just cameras, as Tesla's technology does. It would also require vehicles to be operated in emergencies using steering wheels and brake pedals, which purpose-built robotaxis like those from Zoox do not have.
Washington DC Lobbying
In Washington, DC, where autonomous vehicle developers including Waymo are engaged in a pitched, months-long battle to allow robotaxi services, Uber representatives also sought to ensure that hybrid networks would be the future of ride-hail. A bill introduced by city council member Charles Allen in April would allow driverless services on DC's public roads under certain conditions. In an email sent more than a week before the introduction of the legislation and obtained by WIRED, Uber lobbyist LáVita Gardner thanked an Allen staffer for committing to allowing ride-hail companies like Uber to participate in the district's autonomous vehicle program. "Allowing for hybrid networks will be critical for a smooth transition that supports both technology and human drivers," Gardner wrote. The DC bill will be the subject of a hearing on Monday and has not yet come up for a vote.
Uber's Pivot from Building to Partnering
A decade ago, then-Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said he saw autonomous vehicles as an existential threat. "What would happen if we weren't part of that future? If we weren't part of the autonomy thing? Then the future passes us by," Kalanick told Business Insider. In the years since, Uber has settled on a strategy that puts it on track to become the place where riders can get connected with any ride, driven by a human or robot. "We think there are going to be many AV players around the world, and we want to be the go-to commercial platform for all of them," Khosrowshahi told investors in 2024. Since then, the company has signed agreements with more than 25 major robotaxi players, with driverless vehicles from Waymo, Nuro, Baidu, and Volkswagen's MOIA either available or soon to be available on the Uber app in several global cities.
Implications for the Industry
Uber's legislative push represents a strategic move to protect its market position as the dominant ride-hail platform while AV technology matures. The proposed 85% human-driver requirement in New Jersey would effectively prevent standalone robotaxi apps from gaining traction, giving Uber time to integrate autonomous vehicles into its network. For CTOs and technology leaders, the case illustrates how incumbents can use regulation to shape the pace of technological disruption, even when they have embraced the new technology as a partner rather than a builder.
| Key Legislation Element | New Jersey Bill | DC Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | State Senator Andrew Zwicker | Council Member Charles Allen |
| Key Provision | Requires autonomous vehicle developers to use multiple sensors (not just cameras) | Allows driverless services under certain conditions |
| Uber's Lobbying | Proposed language requiring 85% human-driven rides for three years | Lobbyist LáVita Gardner advocated for hybrid networks |
| Status | Not yet including Uber's language; vote expected this fall | Hearing scheduled; no vote yet |
"We think there are going to be many AV players around the world, and we want to be the go-to commercial platform for all of them." — Dara Khosrowshahi, 2024 investor call
The autonomous vehicle industry now faces a coordinated effort by Uber to slow its direct-to-consumer ambitions. By embedding hybrid network requirements into law, Uber hopes to remain the central marketplace for mobility, whether human or robot-driven.
Sources:
