From Taxis to #Tech: How Automation is Redefining Ownership and Labour and the Future Of Work.
For this blog for Medium, I have been inspired by being asked on the BBC News (last minute) to due to the launch of the CyberCab by world-renowned right-wing libertine and business man Elon Musk.
So today, we explore a world without drivers — or even humans — at the wheel. And think about the implications for the future of work and the #FifthIndustrialRevolution. With driverless technology disrupting not just the taxi industry but the entire concept of work, we’re on the cusp of a massive shift.
“This shift goes far beyond cars and taxis; it points to a future where humans may no longer be required to “drive” work forward.” (Dan Sodergren)
Is Elon Musk’s CyberCab Just a PR Move?
Elon Musk has unveiled Tesla’s long-anticipated CyberCab at the “We, Robot” event, marking a pivotal step toward fully autonomous urban mobility. The CyberCab, designed without a steering wheel or pedals, aims for production by 2026 at a price point of $30,000.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Elon Musk has grabbed the world’s attention (or at least that of the BBC’s with his big launch. But Elon Musk has always been ambitious with timelines, and the launch of Tesla’s CyberCab seems no different. Musk has a history of using bold claims to capture market attention, and it’s possible this latest announcement is more about claiming the narrative around driverless cars.
By getting people to say “CyberCab” rather than “robo-taxi,” Musk may be making a land grab for the industry’s future. His ability to own the conversation might outpace his ability to meet these deadlines, but that’s all part of the strategy.
What makes Musk’s claims particularly interesting is Tesla’s advantage in the data race. Unlike competitors that rely on sensors like LiDAR, Tesla’s vehicles gather billions of miles of real-world driving data. This gives them a massive edge in refining their Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Tesla’s AI-driven approach, which accumulates 5 million miles of autonomous driving data daily, helps accelerate development.
In comparison, other companies invest in more expensive hardware, while Tesla’s vision-based approach keeps costs lower, positioning it as a highly cost-effective solution compared to traditional ride-hailing services, at $0.20 per mile. This advantage, combined with a bold PR strategy, allows Musk to stay ahead, even if his timelines tend to stretch beyond expectations. As Musk envisions, and he might not be lying,
“The future of urban transport is here, and it’s autonomous.”
The Global Race for 5G and Robotaxi Dominance
The question is more WHEN rather than IF. As RoboTaxi’s need 5G to run.
Global 5G connections surpassed 1 billion by the end of 2022 and are expected to reach 2 billion by 2025 (Home of Telco & 5G News)
While Tesla is making strides, China is the clear global leader in 5G and smart city development and robo taxis. With over 1.9 million 5G base stations as of mid-2023, China’s state-backed investments of over $220 billion in 5G infrastructure are driving smart cities and autonomous technologies like Baidu’s Apollo Go, which is integrating autonomous transport in cities like Beijing and Wuhan.
“Nearly 40% of China’s mobile users are already on 5G networks, far outpacing the U.S. and UK.”
In comparison, the U.S. had fewer than 85,000 5G sites installed by 2023. (less than 5% of that of China) Similarly, the UK, an early adopter of 5G, has struggled with slow progress, leaving many rural areas still reliant on 4G. Don’t get me started on this one… Yes , the UK government has pledged to cover most of the population with 5G by 2027, but investment has lagged behind the leading Asian nations.
And like Elon’s claims — let’s see if it happens. But what is very real is the potential money is this seismic shift.
Key Statistics: The Future of Autonomous Transportation
The robotaxi market, valued at approximately $910 million in 2023, is projected to grow at an extraordinary annual rate of 64%, reaching nearly $66 billion by 2032. As I talked about in my BBC interview, in China, Baidu’s Apollo Go has already expanded its services to cities like Wuhan, Shanghai, and Beijing, reaching Level 4 autonomy — meaning these vehicles can operate without human intervention in most scenarios. Baidu’s fleet has clocked over 100 million kilometers of autonomous driving without a major incident, solidifying its leadership.
Pony.ai and AutoX are key players in China’s robotaxi industry. Pony.ai operates across cities like Guangzhou and secured a commercial robotaxi licence, while AutoX offers fully driverless robotaxis in Shenzhen, already completing over 1 million autonomous miles.
This idea of robotaxi’s the USA and UK could make someone very, very rich indeed.
Who will get rich quick?
It might not be who you think, as I wrote about last year for newspapers in the UK, the uncoupling of the car from the person could make us all more money than we think. The robo-taxi industry offers a glimpse into what the future might hold. Initially, taxi drivers were prized for their knowledge and expertise in navigating the complex streets of cities. Then Uber simplified it — if you could drive and had a car, you were in.
Now, as driverless taxis (robo-taxis) like Tesla’s CyberCab and Baidu’s Apollo Go dominate streets, the only thing you need is ownership of the car. Your car could literally make money for you as you slept. And soon, even that could be automated, with fleet management handled by companies or AI systems themselves
But the implications are far more profound than the automation of transportation. This marks the “thin edge of the wedge” for work itself. As tasks become more automated, what will humans do?
Skills Are Changing:
Just as taxi drivers are being replaced by software, other jobs are likely to follow. By 2025, the global 5G rollout, which is key for the widespread adoption of AI technologies, will power more than 2 billion 5G connections, accelerating automation(
Job Ownership vs. Skill Ownership:
The shift from needing a particular skill (e.g., driving) to needing capital (e.g., owning an autonomous vehicle) is reshaping how we think about jobs. In the future, being able to leverage AI and tech tools will be more important than traditional expertise
Supervisory Roles & Creativity:
While machines take over routine tasks, human jobs will shift towards creativity, supervision, and strategic oversight. We’ll manage the AI, but we may not perform the tasks ourselves.
Robo-Taxis: Just the Beginning
This “humanless” trend won’t stop with cars. Industries such as healthcare, finance, and even education will see an influx of AI-driven automation. Machines that learn, predict, and execute are becoming mainstream, so how do we prepare for that?
By 2030, experts predict that nearly 800 million jobs could be displaced by automation, yet new jobs will emerge, often in tech and AI oversight roles. Whilst Smart cities, especially in China and South Korea, are already leveraging AI to manage urban environments more efficiently — human oversight is becoming less necessary. So, What Does the Future of Work Look Like? In a world where AI handles the routine, human labour will likely focus on creativity, problem-solving, and strategic innovation. But the role of “worker” may shift. More of us could become “owners” of automated systems rather than workers of a skillset.
As Tesla, Baidu, and others lead the way in autonomous technology, the future of work may become less about “doing” and more about managing systems or owning assets that do the work for us.Which might be robots as well — as the BBC piece alludes to. But what do taxis have to do with The Future of Work? Well oddly, when they are robotaxis, then EVERYTHING. This shift is huge as it shows us that perhaps
“The future of work is no longer about who can do the job, but who can own the technology that does it for them.” (Dan Sodergren)
This idea encapsulates the broader shift in labour, as automation and AI increasingly take over tasks once performed by humans. The winners in this new world will be those who control the systems and technologies, rather than the workers performing the tasks.
So which one will you be? Worth thinking about.
About the Author:
Keynote speaker, professional speaker, Ted X talker, serial tech startup founder, ex marketing agency owner, digital trainer, and now author and media spokesperson Dan Sodergren’s main area of interest is the future of work, technology, data and AI
In his spare time, as well as being a dad, which comes first, Dan is a digital marketing and technology (and now AI) expert for TV shows and the BBC and countless radio shows. Occasionally donning the cape of consumer champion on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.
He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars speaking as a tech futurist. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows. His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how AI and technology will change the world for the better as part of the #FifthIndustrialRevolution
Find out more about him over on bit.ly/DanSodergren with all his links.
And his books on Dan Sodergren #FutureOfWork on Gumroad.com
And his AI marketing course on The AI Marketing Course
And his non for profit: The AI Teacher Course
And his new idea on AI Leadership Training
Further Reading and Resources suggested by my AI.
5G Rollout and Automation in China Discover how China is leading the 5G race and revolutionizing urban transportation with autonomous taxis. Learn more at Mobile Magazine on 5G Rollout: https://www.mobile-magazine.com
Smart Cities and the Future of Infrastructure Explore how cities like Singapore, Amsterdam, and Seoul are harnessing 5G, AI, and IoT to build the cities of the future. SiFi Networks on Smart City Trends: https://www.sifinetworks.com
The Rise of Robo-Taxis Interested in the specifics of Baidu’s Apollo Go and Tesla’s CyberCab? Read about how these innovations are setting the stage for a driverless future. Registration China on Robo-Taxis: https://www.registrationchina.com
Impacts of Automation on Work How will automation affect global employment by 2030? Delve into reports projecting the displacement and creation of jobs as AI takes over more tasks. Technostruct Academy on Smart Cities: https://www.technostructacademy.com
