Robotaxis Are Now Competing Not for Market Share, but for the Rules of the Game in Washington

I’d like to share an observation from the world of technology and autonomous mobility.

I noticed how quickly Uber and Waymo have ended up on opposite sides of the debate over robotaxi rules in Washington.

Uber is opposing the draft: the company argues that it could push drivers out and give Waymo a significant advantage. Instead, Uber is promoting a hybrid model — robotaxis alongside human drivers in a single network.

Waymo, by contrast, broadly supports the initiative and has already met part of the testing requirements. Tesla and other players, meanwhile, are criticising the high fees and strict mileage thresholds.

Why this matters: regulation may decide who scales autonomous transport faster.