Uber is now officially in the trucking business after launching its freight service
There are already a lot of companies that call themselves the "Uber for trucking" — and now Uber itself is one of them after launching its road freight service in the logistics sector.
On Thursday, the $69 billion ride-hailing giant officially launched Uber Freight, its new network for helping truck drivers find loads easier and pay them faster.
Given the number of startups already vying to be the solution, it's not a new idea to revolutionize the trucking industry. But Uber is a well-financed behemoth entering the $700 billion trucking industry that experts predict may give it the advantage over the other upstarts — and it has an ulterior motive as well.
The plan builds on Uber's acquisition of Otto, a self-driving trucking company that Uber bought in July for $650 million. (That same company is also the target of a massive lawsuit brought by Waymo that could impair Uber's future self-driving car efforts).
At the time, Otto's main focus was to build self-driving truck kits that equipment manufacturers or freight networks could buy and install on their own, but it also secretly harbored a desire to build its own "Uber for trucking" marketplace.
"Even if you look pre-acquisition, Otto was always about reinventing transportation," Eric Berdinis, the product lead on Uber Freight, told Business Insider in October when Uber first started teasing the launch. "Even though we started with the announcement of the self-driving trucks, we were always intending to build a marketplace that would allow self-driving trucks to flourish."
For now, Uber Freight is limited to trucks that are driven by humans that are vetted by the company to be certified to drive the different kind of trucking loads on the platform — some which may require refrigeration or special equipment. It's also starting small just operating in Texas between Houston, Dallas, and Austin, according to Wired.
Amid concerns that Uber's self-driving trucks have vanished from the road, the launch of Uber Freight shows it hasn't abandoned its push into trucking wholeheartedly.
The chemical goods industry has experienced significant changes over recent years with a much larger emphasis being placed on logistics compliance and regulation. Tudor provide businesses with specialist chemical logistics advice and guidance.
Tudor International Freight manage the supply chain movements of many large international manufacturing companies. Our team appreciate the complex issues and unique logistical challenges facing this sector.
Tudor International Freight provide a wide range of supply chain solutions to the aerospace sector. Our staff are familiar with industry terms and jargon – we understand and speak your language.
We have been providing logistics services to the oil and gas industry for many years. Our specialist team have worked on many projects across the world and understand the demands of this sector more than most.
When fast reactions and quick solutions are required, you can count on Tudor International Freight to provide a dedicated team and exceptional service to help make your event a resounding success.
