The Rideshare Guy Podcast

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Omar Zoubi, VP of Autonomous Mobility & Rideshare Network Strategy at TaskUs. Omar breaks down how TaskUs supports autonomous vehicle operators behind the scenes, from remote assistance to handling edge cases that today's AI systems still struggle to navigate. We get into TaskUs' role across the AV ecosystem, including who they partner with and how their human-in-the-loop model helps fleets operate safely and scale more efficiently. Omar explains the types of real-world scenarios where AVs need intervention, how those interventions feed back into improving AI systems, and what it takes to support different types of fleets with varying operational needs. The conversation also covers the current stage of the AV industry, including how companies like Waymo are approaching remote assistance and safety, and what challenges emerge as fleets grow. We discuss operational complexity, cost structures, and how companies think about cost per mile as they move toward commercialization. Finally, Omar shares his perspective on where TaskUs adds the most value today, how the human-in-the-loop model will evolve over time, and what the future of the AV industry looks like as autonomy matures. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Omar Zoubi and TaskUs (03:19) TaskUs' domain of operation (03:30) TaskUs' AV business model, and their partners (04:43) What services does TaskUs provide to its AV clients? (06:10) How does TaskUs' assistance in edge cases help AV clients improve their AI? (07:53) Common scenarios where AV companies might need remote assistance, and how TaskUs helps. (09:30) Differences between supporting different AV fleets (10:41) How Omar thinks about Waymo's remote assistance and safety (12:40) What stage of the AV industry are we in? (14:19) Biggest operational challenges as AV fleets start to scale (15:46) Common traits across operators and companies in the AV industry (17:00) How the human-in-the-loop model will evolve as AVs mature (19:05) How do you plan for unpredictable scenarios, like the recent SF blackout? (21:38) How AV operational costs are distributed and cost per mile (23:10) Where does TaskUs offer the biggest value or opportunity for AV companies? (24:00) What does the future of the AV industry look like? (25:43) Conclusions and final thoughts Notes/Links: You can find Omar Zoubi on Linkedin. TaskUs website (link). Learn how TaskUs supports AV operations in their case study (link).

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Shao (Pat) Tsen, Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). We start with an overview of the CPUC and Pat's role in it. We also break down the split between the CPUC and DMV, clarifying who regulates what, and what companies actually need to do to launch an autonomous vehicle service in California, including the different permit types required along the way. Pat explains the CPUC's technology-agnostic approach to AV regulation, and why Tesla's current robotaxi deployment isn't considered an autonomous vehicle service under CPUC jurisdiction. We then dig into what it really takes to secure an AV permit, and whether the approval process is more subjective or objective in practice. The conversation also covers enforcement, reporting, and data collection requirements for AV companies, including new stoppage event reporting rules and what data is ultimately made public. We also get into how the CPUC approaches transparency, accountability, and the balance between innovation and public safety—and where its regulatory oversight starts to reach its limits. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Shao (Pat) Tsen (03:34) Introduction to the CPUC and their areas of regulation (05:03) Pat's role at the CPUC (08:37) CPUC vs DMV: Who Regulates What? (10:54) Steps to launching an autonomous vehicle service in California—and the different types of permits (14:05) The CPUC's technology-agnostic role in AV regulation (15:05) Why Tesla's robotaxi isn't considered an autonomous vehicle service in California (18:35) What it takes to get an AV permit from the CPUC (21:35) Is the CPUC's AV permit approval process more subjective or objective? (24:55) Enforcement, reporting, and data collection for AV companies under the CPUC's jurisdiction (30:21) What autonomous vehicle companies currently have to report to the CPUC, including new stoppage event requirements (32:45) What AV company data is made publicly available? (37:10) How the CPUC handles new edge cases and teleoperations (41:44) Limits of the CPUC's oversight (43:00) Conclusions and final thoughts Notes/Links: You can find Pat on Linkedin. Relevant links for the CPUC's AV program Decision and resolution numbers which set rules or approved new authority to operate D.18-05-043 aka the "Pilot Decision," created the AV Pilot program and set requirements for participants D.20-11-046 as modified by D.21-05-017 aka the "Deployment Decision," created AV Deployment program and set the requirements for participants D.24-11-002 aka the AV Data Decision, expanded AV data reporting requirements including incident reporting and "stoppage event" reporting R.-25-08-013 (OIR opened August 2025) – the new AV rulemaking to update policies/processes/rules for AV passenger transportation General Order (GO) 157-E: TCP Regulations Resolutions: Resolution TL-19144 (2023) – approved Waymo for Phase I Driverless AV Passenger Service Deployment Resolution TL-19145 (2023) – approved Cruise (Phase 1 driverless deployment authorization) AV Program Quarterly Reporting (link). To file a complaint, you can fill out this form Passenger complaint form and email to consumer-affairs@cpuc.ca.gov To submit a public comment in the ongoing AV rulemaking, as mentioned at the 41:25 timestamp, you can access the public comment tab here R2508013 -Harry

In this episode Harry speaks with Nikhil Goel. Nikhil is the Chief Commercial Officer of Archer. Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. Archer's mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. Nikhil is also the co-founder of Uber Elevate, which will bring aerial rideshare to a large scale. 0:00 Intros 4:40 What was the inflection point for aerial rideshare? 11:10 What is the main advantage for aerial travel? 19:45 How can the price be reduced? 23:00 How far away is mass adoption? 31:55 What are some of the challenges? 34:40 Will aerial rideshare benefit everyone? Links: Nikhil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngoel1/ Archer: www.archer.com Uber Elevate: https://www.uber.com/us/en/elevate/vision/

In this episode Harry speaks with Tomer Kashi. Tomer is the CEO of VOOM: VOOM is an InsurTech pioneer, crafting cutting-edge, usage-based insurance solutions for the future of mobility. Tomer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomer-kashi/ Voom: https://www.voominsurance.com 0:00 Intros 2:20 What is VOOM? 7:30 What makes VOOM unique? 11:00 How does insurance work with Uber? 12:29 What is it like launching in new states? 14:00 How is VOOM priced? 15:55 What is VOOM's ideal customer? 21:51 What makes a safe rideshare driver? 24:32 How would Tomer like the industry to change?

In this episode Harry talks with Jonah Bliss. Jonah is the founder of Curbivore. Curbivore was created out of a shared passion to help technologists, restaurateurs, retailers, local governments, and interested individuals navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic economy. Their hope is that by bringing together all sides of the table, theory can foster a productive dialogue that helps create more equitable and sustainable cities, communities, startups and small businesses. 0:00 Intros 1:25 What is the Curbivore event? 8:40 What will be going on this year? 18:50 How can you attend? Curbivore: https://curbivore.co/ Jonah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahbliss/

In this episode Harry speaks with David Risher. David is the CEO of Lyft. David is on to talk about the slew of new driver benefits that were announced in the early 2024 driver release. Some of the new announcements are drivers earn 70% of rider fares after fees, guaranteed, See where every dollar of riders' fares go, Earn more for waiting during scheduled rides, Find more ways to choose rides at the airport, Access new earning and navigation opportunities for EVs, Appeal deactivations easily in the Lyft app 0:00 Intros 1:53 What did Lyft improve? 3:08 What did Lyft change for fees? 14:05 How can drivers trust Lyft's transparency on fees? 17:01 What did Lyft change for deactivations? 23:10 How is Lyft addressing the problem with scheduled rides? 24:35 Why should you use Lyft's maps? 28:50 How much does David think drivers should make David's X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidrisher David's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrisher/

In this episode Harry speaks with Andries Smit. Andries is an experienced entrepreneur and investment professional, and has recently taken on the role of Vice President of New Ventures at inDrive. In his capacity, Smit leads the New Ventures unit, focusing on investing in companies that challenge injustice, show potential for global expansion, and are in the post-seed/pre-Series A stage. 0:00 Intro 2:40 What is inDrive? 6:15 How did Andries discover inDrive? 8:30 What is the mission of inDrive? 10:49 What are Andries thoughts on mobility ventures? 13:34 How does Andries view the different arms on inDrive? 15:10 What are some of the details of inDrive's ventures? 16:30 What value does inDrive get from its ventures? 23:30 What are inDrive's plan for future markets? 34:34 Where can you learn more? Andrie's LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andriessmit Andrie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/driessmit?lang=en

In this episode Harry speaks with Juan Proaño. Juan Proaño is the CEO and co-founder of Autority.io. His diverse background from both the technology and automotive sectors helped him launch the Autority platform, which helps car owners in Latin America to manage their vehicle payments in one place. 0:00 Intro 1:33 How did Juan get the idea for Autority? 6:11 What makes Ecuador a unique place to operate in? 8:27 Where is Juan finding customers and partners? 13:25 What are the top selling products for Autority? 19:30 How does Autority make money? 20:30 What is the future of Autority? 24:35 Are Uber drivers using Autority? 28:15 How would Autority work in the US? 32:31 Where can you find Juan? Autority: https://autority.io/ Juans' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-bernardo-proa%C3%B10- 37335851/?originalSubdomain=ec