Uber facing more and more investment opponents, including suspicious regulatory, litigation drivers, reporters hostile members, some of his well-funded competitors. But the most significant threat to the shipping company's application can be closer to home: it's one of the largest investor, Google.
Google Ventures, the search giant's venture capital arm Uber spend 258 million in August 2013 which is greater investment agreement, Google constantly, the company put more money in the next round of financing Uber less after one year.
At that time, it is easy to imagine an observer partnership works closely with Google Uber, or even collection day. David Drummond, Google's senior vice president and chief legal officer and corporate development, joined the board in Uber has served since 2013.
Now there are signs that companies are more likely to be fierce competitors allies. Google is preparing to offer its own walk-in telephone service, most likely on its driverless car project a long period of personal development.
Drummond reported Uber ride this possibility, according to the Board of Directors and senior management informed uber uber people have seen the screenshots seem to be a ride-sharing application Google currently using Google employees.
This person, who requested anonymity because the talks are private, said the board is considering whether to require uber Drummond resigned from the board of directors Uber.
Uber also initiated reportedly plans to open in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania own R & D centers to develop their own autonomous vehicle technology, according to a report on Techcrunch. In technology news site also reported that Uber has hired more than 50 scientists from Carnegie Mellon University offices and the National Robotics Engineering Center.
Google has made its ambition to revolutionize transportation autonomous vehicle is no secret. CEO Larry Page said the challenge to personally make the city more effectively work fascinating.
Recently, the company said in its research car without driver Google X laboratory-developed technology is ready for widespread use of between two to five years.
Last month at the Detroit Auto Show, Chris Urmson, the Google executive in charge of the project, to elaborate autonomous vehicle patrolling the streets, picking up passengers and delete situations that may occur.
"We are considering the long term, it may be useful in many people's lives, and there are many ways that you can imagine happening," Urmson told reporters at a conference call on January 14 of speaking. "One of them is the direction of shared vehicles. This technology will allow the vehicle can call and tell you where to go, and then it takes you."
These observations, according to people familiar with the Board to consider the Uber Cup, Uber executives have left deep concern, and with good reason.
Google is a major competitor in the pocket, in reliance on the search giant is technically complex and uber far beyond money. Smartphone app Uber drivers and passengers are based Google maps, traffic patterns which give Google data in the city fire hose.
Such as AOL's MapQuest, maps, and a series of regional players - - is widely regarded as inferior if you lose access to the application mapping industry leader, and replace Uber will be weakened.
Google in the foreign exchange market access also allows Uber ride unpaired possible future where cars suddenly no-frills street.
Uber either develop the technology itself or the formation of alliances with other companies, if they want to provide autonomous vehicles in its fleet. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Tesla and other carmakers say they are developing their own car without the driver, although it is unclear whether they have advanced Google.
A Google spokesman declined to comment. Uber spokesman also declined to provide comments on this article.
Travis Kalanick, Uber's CEO, has publicly discussed what he sees as the inevitability of an independent taxi, and that they can offer cheaper rides and a real alternative to car ownership.
"Uber experience is expensive because it is not only cars, but other people on board," he told a technology conference in 2014, referring to the drivers who pay fees. "When no one else in the car, [taking Uber] cheaper than the cost of a car has."
Now there is another possible sign of rest between companies.
Last week, Google announced that it would begin now a prominent position in the screen display Android smartphone data services to third-party applications from submission of useful information in Google.
Google says it has reached agreement to extract data from the Pandora's like Airbnb, Zillow's, and car service Lyft sharing application. The company particularly conspicuous from this list? Age and possibly former friend Google, Uber.
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