Core Viewpoint - Bank of America Securities analyst Michael McGovern maintains a Buy rating on Uber Technologies while expressing caution regarding Lyft due to the rapid growth of Waymo in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector [1]. Group 1: Autonomous Vehicle Market Dynamics - May Mobility is one of only two companies in the US currently providing rides without safety drivers, alongside Waymo [2]. - McGovern anticipates that the AV ecosystem will include demand aggregators (Uber, Lyft), vehicle manufacturers (Toyota), fleet operators (Marubeni), and autonomy providers (May, Waymo, Tesla) [3]. - May Mobility's partnerships with Uber and Lyft will enable it to receive thousands of trip requests every hour, enhancing route selection and asset utilization [4]. Group 2: Operational Developments - May Mobility is set to launch on Lyft in Atlanta mid-year, with riders assigned May vehicles based on trip selection [4]. - Uber's launch in Arlington, Texas, is expected at the end of the year, starting with driver-in testing before transitioning to driver-out rides [5]. Group 3: Technology Insights - May Mobility employs a combination of camera, LiDar, and radar technologies, with CEO Olsen advocating for camera technology due to its rapid advancements [6]. - The cost of LiDar and radar is expected to decrease as AV technology scales, although camera-only systems may not guarantee the best long-term solution for Level 4 autonomy [7]. - The analyst highlights the importance of sensor technology and mapping capabilities, noting that sensor costs become minimal when amortized over numerous rides [8]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The proliferation of multiple Level 4 AV providers is beneficial for Uber, which has nearly 20 AV partnerships and a global scale [9]. - Uber's stock has seen a 1.85% increase, reaching $87.20 [9].
Uber Wins Analyst Praise For Robotaxi Boom, Lyft Faces Tougher Road Ahead