Hello, tech enthusiasts! It’s always a thrill talking about the latest innovations, and today we’re diving into the intriguing insights of Travis Kalanick, the former CEO of Uber.

Kalanick recently expressed his strong belief that abandoning the autonomous driving program was a significant blunder for Uber. In a candid moment at the Abundance Summit in Los Angeles, he shared, “Look, [new management] killed the autonomous car project we had going on.” At that point, they were arguably just behind Waymo but were on track to surpass them.

Reflecting on this, Kalanick wistfully remarked, “Wish we had an autonomous ride-sharing product right now. That would be great.” It’s a reminder of the path not taken, especially since Uber sold its self-driving unit to Aurora back in 2020.

Despite the rough ride, Waymo has been cruising ahead with its self-driving cars now active in several major cities. Recently, they even partnered with Uber in Austin, demonstrating that the tech landscape is filled with twists and turns.

However, this partnership could come with its own risks. If Waymo decides it can go it alone without Uber as an intermediary, the rideshare giant might find itself in a tight spot. How will Uber navigate this shifting terrain? Only time will tell!