Google to Rival Uber In Ride Share Business?

Google has come a long way, from becoming a search engine, which ensures information at your fingertips, to making technology accessible, to paving the path for new technology in the automotive world. Just when you thought they'd sit steady and say they've conquered a lot, there's news that Google is all set to enter the ride share business and to be specific, become a rival to Uber.

Google had invested about $258 million into Uber in August 2013 and along with the investment it saw that David Drummond, Google's chief legal officer and senior vice president of corporate development, joined the Uber board of directors. Google has now reportedly announced its decision to Uber to going solo with the ride sharing project.

Also Read: Uber in Trouble Across The Globe

The fact remains that Google has got into the game of autonomous cars and in-car entertainment with Android Auto at the right time and this venture would add to their credentials. Keen to do something different, Google might go ahead with the ride sharing company with their autonomous car, thereby completely doing away with expenditure of the driver. This was Uber's dream too and its CEO Travis Kalanick, had made it very clear that they too would get into that domain.

Also Read: Google's Driverless Car Sans Steering Wheel and Pedals

But the ground reality remains that Google has already clocked a number of miles on their autonomous car, testing it in and around neighbourhoods in California and even giving a few guests a chance to experience the car which comes sans a steering wheel.

It's therefore more likely that Google will emerge as a competitor to Uber rather than working with it on the ride share project. Google is still giving its autonomous car project 2-5 years to develop but in the meanwhile, entering into the ride share realm would make perfect business sense for they boast of having unparalleled connectivity, platform and customer engagement.