Uber’s “asset-light” business model will face difficulties when integrating autonomous vehicles, according to Maryann Keller, principal of professional consultancy and advisory service Maryann Keller & Associates. The company has been working on a self-driving car for several years, but it is still in the early stages of development. The introduction of autonomous vehicles at a starting cost of approximately $40,000 per unit would have to be managed by the company, transforming Uber into something akin to a rental-car company.
Uber’s “asset-light” business model will face difficulties when integrating autonomous vehicles, according to Maryann Keller, principal of professional consultancy and advisory service Maryann Keller & Associates. With the current Uber model, private individuals provide their own vehicles for the car-hailing service, with the onus for vehicle provision and maintenance on the drivers. The introduction of autonomous vehicles at a starting cost of approximately $40,000 per unit would have to be managed by the company, transforming Uber into something akin to a rental-car company.