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Wired Public Records Investigation: Uber Lobbyists Push State Laws Requiring 85% Human-Driver Rides for Three Years — Building 'Hybrid Network' Regulatory Moat Against Waymo and Tesla

Summary

Documents obtained via public records request by Wired show Uber lobbyists circulating New Jersey legislation that would require any driverless ride-hail platform to have human drivers serve 85% of rides for three years, part of a broader push for 'hybrid network' rules that Uber frames as a phased AV transition. Uber has signed 25+ AV partnerships (Waymo, Nuro, Baidu, MOIA), and CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has told investors he wants Uber to be the go-to commercial platform for all robotaxi operators. Uber says AV-industry proposals 'overlook drivers' rights,' but critics argue the strategy is a regulatory moat against Waymo and Tesla's fleet-only models.

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  • Katie Drummond @katie-drummond.bsky.social amplified

    @wired.com

    In at least two places, Uber has pushed a policy that could give it an advantage over developers of self-driving cars. The company says it’s fighting monopolies. www.wired.com/story/ubers-...

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