Why Lyft is convening its drivers to plan the future of robotaxis

Robotaxis are increasingly being used in cities, taking riders from place to place without human drivers, which is worrying drivers for apps like Uber and Lyft. Waymo has already deployed its vehicles in several cities, and Lyft is also entering the autonomous vehicle (AV) market. Lyft is trying to involve its drivers in the process through its new Driver Autonomous Forum, which will discuss challenges and gather feedback on how to innovate in a human-centered way. The company has no plans to eliminate human drivers entirely, but rather envisions a "hybrid" economy of human-driven and autonomous vehicles. Rideshare drivers have already seen their business hurt by robotaxis, with decreased earnings and a shift to more lucrative airport trips. As self-driving vehicles flood the market, part of the battle might be shifting gig-work drivers to other positions, such as remote vehicle support or fleet management. Most rideshare companies claim that their drivers will not be directly replaced by robotaxis, but drivers are still worried about the impact on their income and independence. The shift to robotaxis could affect not only the rideshare market but also the broader economy, as drivers spend their earnings on goods and services.