How self-driving scale

Let’s consider how ridesharing apps scale and compete to predict how widespread self-driving adoption is going to happen.

The more drivers and riders on a ridesharing platform, the quicker and better the match, and more useful is the platform. Hence, ridesharing companies compete to get more drivers and riders through promo code and drivers’ bonuses. While they are tech companies, it is really a competition about who can deploy more capital.

Self-driving fleets can directly control the number of cars on the road because they don’t need drivers. However, certain roads can be too difficult to navigate autonomously with current technology. The utility of a self-driving network is constrained by the number of locations it can reach. It also requires a lengthy period mapping before a route can be navigated autonomously.

Scalable self-driving technology is going to be very valuable. Better mapping process allows a company to deploy to a new location faster. Better perception algorithm lowers the cost of sensors per car. Better self-driving technology gives the company a superior network as it can navigate through roads where others are unable to.

This is a short version of my previous post.