Ride‑hailing Aggregators Bankroll Robotaxi Supply

Major ride‑hailing platforms (here, Uber) are signing deals and investing in multiple autonomous-vehicle firms to ensure no single manufacturer (e.g., Waymo or Tesla) captures the robotaxi market. By diversifying suppliers while controlling the app/dispatch layer, aggregators can preserve market power and extract rents even as vehicle ownership and operations shift. — This strategy reframes competition and antitrust debates: the real power may rest with app aggregators, not the vehicle makers, shifting regulatory focus from manufacturers to platforms.