Google to Compete with Uber with App, Self-Driving Cars

Uber, the king of taxi apps, faces a new challenger that could toss it from the throne, Google.

Bloomberg reports that Google, already far along in development of self-driving cars, hopes to use its knowledge of app development and couple it with their self-driving cars to provide a service where customers can arrange for rides without ever interacting with a real person.

Google is already testing out a ride sharing app similar to Uber confidentially with some of its employees, according to Bloomberg.

The decision to compete with Uber is interesting given that Google was one of its first and largest investors. Ties between the two companies were once so close that a former member of Google's board joined Uber's board in 2013. The recent development with Google and its own taxi app have led the Uber board to discuss forcing the former Google employee from the board.

In response to this new competition, Uber said that it would create a robotics research laboratory in Pittsburgh, PA, according to Bloomberg. Uber and its 50 or so robotic scientists will have serious catching up to do since Google is reportedly only two to five years away from perfecting its self-driving technology enough for popular use.

Although the details of the Google program are largely speculation, one situation might involve a car assigned to a particular geographic area. The car would either drive around or idle in the given area until a rider requests its service.

Google's entrance into Uber's territory threatens Uber on another front. The Uber app relies on Google Maps to geolocate drivers and customers so that clients may call upon the closest, most convenient driver. If Google were to start its own taxi business, Uber would more than likely be barred from using Google Maps to support its app.