Uber's robotaxi edge: human drivers

Uber is betting billions on a driverless future, but the secret to making the economics work could be — surprise! — its vast army of human drivers. Why it matters: Uber believes a hybrid network of robots and people can keep its expensive autonomous vehicles busier, and therefore more profitable, than fleets made up entirely of robotaxis.The big picture: Think of a high-tech robotaxi like an airplane: It costs money whether it's carrying passengers or sitting on the ground.The more trips each vehicle makes, the more revenue Uber and its robotaxi partners can squeeze from that expensive asset,