谷歌是否将杀入Uber的地盘

Google GOOG -1.13% is developing a ride-hailingservice that could eventually rely on self-drivingcars, Bloomberg reported Monday. The project wouldput it on a collision course with Uber, which in just afew years has seized a huge chunk of the existingtaxi business.

据彭博社本周报道，谷歌正在开发一款最终有可能将依赖无人驾驶汽车的打车服务。这一项目将让这家科技巨头与Uber正面交锋，后者仅用了几年时间就攫取了出租车行业的一大块市场蛋糕。

There is no word on when a Google ride-sharingservice would become available to the general public, though Bloomberg reported that thecompany is testing a version of the service with its employees.

目前尚无消息显示，谷歌的打车服务将在什么时候面向公众开放，不过据彭博社报道，谷歌目前正在向其内部员工测试该服务。

 

 

Google’s potential move into the market comes two years after its venture capital arm, GoogleVentures, led a massive 2013 investment in Uber that valued it around $3.5 billion. Subsequentfunding rounds have valued Uber at more than $40 billion.

2013年，谷歌旗下风投机构Google Ventures领衔的财团向Uber投入巨额资金，使得这家打车服务商的估值达到35亿美元，此后的几轮融资更使它的估值达到400亿美元以上。两年后的今天，谷歌决定亲自上阵，挺进这一市场。

Concerned about Google’s possible entry, Uber is considering removing Google’s chief legalofficer, David Drummond, from its board of directors, according to Bloomberg, which citedanonymous sources. Drummond has been a board member since 2013.

据彭博社引述匿名人士的消息，由于担心这家科技巨擘的潜在攻势，Uber正在考虑将谷歌公司首席法务官大卫o德拉蒙德请出董事会。德拉蒙德从2013年起开始担任Uber的董事会成员。

Meanwhile, Uber is moving forward with plans to develop its own driverless vehicle technologyand is building a research facility in Pittsburgh to explore the idea, TechCrunch reported.Autonomous cars would let Uber avoid having to share money from passengers with drivers.

另据TechCrunch报道，与此同时，Uber也计划开发自己的无人驾驶汽车技术，该公司目前正在匹兹堡市建立一个研究技构，探索该创意的可行性。无人驾驶汽车将使Uber避免与出租车司机分享乘客的打车费用。

Google and Uber did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

谷歌和Uber都没有立刻回应《财富》的置评请求。

A few months ago, Fortune wondered if Google and ride-sharing startup Uber might be on “acollision course” over dueling on-demand delivery services. But the two tech companies couldbe headed for an even bigger clash.

早在几个月前，《财富》就曾预测谷歌与Uber有可能在打车服务上进入“并行道”。但这两家科技公司也有可能面临更大的冲突。

Uber has already made more than its share of enemies in a series of controversies including byignoring regulators and taking on taxi companies, some of which have sued to stop thenewcomer. Uber and ride-hailing service rival Lyft have exchanged public accusations whilecompeting for customers and drivers. A number of passengers have also accused Uber driversof questionable conduct, including a woman in Los Angeles who accused her Uber driver ofsexually assaulting her this week.

人红是非多。Uber已经陷入一系列争议，树敌颇多。很多人指责它无视监管，对抗出租车公司，一些出租车公司甚至提起诉讼，要求“封杀”这位不速之客。Uber正在与另一个打车应用Lyft争抢顾客和司机，一直没有停止相互公开指责。此外，也有不少乘客指责Uber司机的个人素质有问题。比如，洛杉矶的一位女乘客本周就指控说，她通过Uber找到的一名司机对她进行了性骚扰。

In other words, a battle with Google would only be the latest conflict for Uber.

换句话说，对于Uber而言，与谷歌对抗只是一长串战役中的最近一次罢了。(财富中文网)