Weekly Roundup: Uber Paying Drivers to Train AI Models for Robotaxis

Uber drivers train AI that may replace them. Florida criminalizes rideshare driver impersonation. Lime and Uber extend partnership ahead of busy summer. NYC delivery platforms settle fee cap lawsuits. Illinois "pizza tax" on deliveries fails to pass.

We break it all down for you.

Uber Paying Drivers to Train AI Models for Robotaxis

SOURCE – Sherwood News

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company is now offering drivers the opportunity to earn extra income by training Uber’s AI systems. Drivers are getting paid for tasks like labeling maps, translating language and grading AI responses.This comes as Uber expands its robotaxi ambitions and works with companies like Waymo and May Mobility to provide driverless vehicles on its platform.

• Khosrowshahi said the AI training work represents a “very small” portion of typical driver workload.

• Khosrowshahi has previously stated that human driver displacement from rideshare platforms will likely occur within 15-20 years.

• Uber currently has 18 partnerships in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem, with Khosrowshahi describing autonomous vehicles as representing “a safer way of transportation.”

Florida Enacts New Law Targeting Rideshare Driver Impersonation

SOURCE – Mundo Deportivo

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1525 into law, which takes effect July 1, making it a criminal offense to impersonate rideshare drivers in Florida. The legislation classifies driver impersonation as a second-degree misdemeanor, escalating to a third-degree felony if done with intent to commit another crime. The bill also requires rideshare companies to provide additional driver training materials.

• The bill passed unanimously in both chambers (116-0 in the House, 37-0 in the Senate) with bipartisan support.

• Uber has already begun implementing enhanced security measures in Florida, including a Miami pilot program for rider identity verification using third-party databases and document uploads.

Lime and Uber Extend Multiyear Partnership for Bike and Scooter Integration

SOURCE – The Verge

Lime and Uber have signed a new multiyear agreement to continue featuring Lime’s shared bikes and scooters within Uber’s app across markets including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The partnership renewal comes as Lime prepares for summer expansion, having recently hit record daily ridership of over 1 million rides and surpassed 10 billion total minutes on its platform.

• Uber currently holds a 29% stake in Lime and includes the service as part of its Uber One subscription benefits.

• The company is expanding globally with recent launches in Barcelona and planned Mexico expansion, while scaling new vehicles like the LimeBike and pedal-less LimeGlider across nearly a dozen cities.

• Lime reported its fourth consecutive year of over 30% growth in 2024, with $810 million in gross bookings and its second consecutive year of positive free cash flow.

DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats Settle NYC Lawsuits Over Fee Caps and Minimum Wage

SOURCE – Reuters

DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats have settled their lawsuits against New York City over laws that established minimum wages for delivery workers and capped restaurant delivery fees. The settlement allows the companies to sometimes charge restaurants more than the current 15% delivery fee and 5% advertising fee caps that were made permanent in August 2021.

• Delivery workers now earn at least $21.44 per hour before tips under the Minimum Pay Rate that took full effect April 1, up from $5.39 per hour two years ago.

• The companies agreed to dismiss their lawsuits with prejudice, meaning they cannot refile them, and the settlement anticipates the NYC Council will enact the proposed changes into law..

Illinois Lawmakers’ Last-Minute $1.50 Food Delivery Tax Fails to Pass

SOURCE – Eater Chicago

Illinois lawmakers attempted to pass a $1.50 tax on food deliveries during the final hours of the legislative session to address a $771 million regional transportation funding shortfall. The “pizza tax” proposal passed the Senate on Saturday but failed to reach the House before the Sunday deadline.

• The tax would have applied to all motor vehicle food deliveries starting January 1, with annual inflation adjustments, while exempting bicycles and some grocery/prescription deliveries.

• The issue will likely resurface during the fall legislative session as transportation agencies warn of potential service cuts without additional funding.

Will Tesla’s Robotaxi #Rideshare Service Kill Uber, Lyft?

SOURCE – YouTube Shorts

We’re about a week away from the public launch of Tesla’s rideshare service in Austin Texas. Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company has been testing its robotaxi service on Austin public streets without safety drivers for “several days” ahead of its planned June 12 launch. But will it actually launch? Watch the YouTube Short to learn more.

QUICK HITS

• Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora joined Uber’s board of directors. – CNBC

• Grist explores whether Uber’s new shuttle bus feature will deteriorate the quality of public transit. – Grist

• New data shows Waymo is gaining on incumbent rideshare platforms in San Francisco. – Fast Company

• Want to learn more about the robotaxi industry? Subscribe to The Driverless Digest, our new newsletter and podcast dedicated to the future of autonomous vehicles.

Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content

Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:

• The Hidden Costs of Driving for Uber (It’s Not Just About Money)

• Uber & Lyft CAUGHT Shaving Driver Pay!

• 26000 Rides Later: Here’s What I’ve Learned Driving Uber & Lyft for 11 Years

• Preferred Drivers Or Just Easier to Exploit?

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