The gig-economylandscape is shifting again. This week, investors and drivers alike were reminded that the future of delivery isn’t just about who’s on the road, it’s about who owns the road. Companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash all reported their quarterly earnings, signaling that more money will be poured into autonomous delivery technology in 2026.
DoorDash, which reported a 17% drop in its quarterly earnings, said it plans to spend “several hundred million dollars more” than originally planned on key initiatives, one of them being self-driving delivery.
CEO Tony Xu said in an earnings call that this kind of innovation “does not happen overnight” and requires “making investments upfront.” Lyft and Uber echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that long-term profitability depends on scaling up robotaxi and autonomous operations.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi admitted the company’s self-driving division is currently a “money-losing venture,” but stressed that it’s a necessary investment for the company’s future. Lyft’s leadership, too, reiterated the importance of keeping up with automation to stay competitive.
The Growing Divide Between Corporate Tech and Human Labor
While corporate boards are planning the next generation of robotaxis, few are talking about investing in human capital, the drivers who built these platforms into household names.
Not a single mention was made about increasing driver pay, enhancing benefits, or improving app tools to make gig work more sustainable.
This silence speaks volumes. In an industry increasingly defined by automation and investor optimism, the gig workforce continues to shoulder the immediate economic burden while companies invest in technologies that could eventually replace them.
DeliverySoCal’s Perspective: Drivers Must Invest in Themselves
At DeliverySoCal.com, we believe that if companies are investing in tech, drivers should be investing in themselves, individually and collectively. The truth is that automation isn’t going away. It’s not an overnight threat, but it’s a long-term one. Gig workers who adapt early will be the ones who survive the shift.
That means treating your work like a business and preparing for the next wave of change. As automation reshapes the delivery world, the most successful drivers will be those who build skills, networks, and systems that make them resilient to disruption. Investing in self-development, financial management, and staying informed about emerging trends are just as important as clocking in for deliveries.
The Bigger Picture: Industry Trends for 2026
The broader delivery ecosystem is undergoing major transformation. Key areas of investment include electrification, AI-powered route optimization, and autonomous robotics. Drones, self-driving cars, and sidewalk bots are already transitioning from pilot programs to regular operations for last-mile deliveries.
But this automation comes with trade-offs. While it promises lower operational costs and faster ETAs for customers, it also reshapes what skills and tools human drivers will need to stay relevant.
The report notes that “accelerated adoption of electric and autonomous tech will shift what skills and hardware drivers need,” and that “staying ahead will require drivers to adapt rapidly.”
That adaptation doesn’t just mean buying an electric vehicle, it means upgrading your digital toolkit, building a local network of gig professionals, and learning how to use data-driven platforms to your advantage. Delivery drivers who think like small business owners will have the best chance at thriving in this new phase.
A Cautionary Road Ahead
The CEOs are right about one thing, autonomy won’t happen overnight. It’s a long road, filled with setbacks, costs, and regulations. But while these companies are spending “hundreds of millions” to prepare for a driverless world, delivery drivers today still face app glitches, fluctuating pay models, and inconsistent support. The irony is that the people funding these innovations, through their daily labor, may not be the ones who benefit.
DeliverySoCal’s stance is clear: human drivers aren’t obsolete, they’re simply under-invested in. If the gig-economy giants won’t build tools to support human growth, then it’s time for drivers to do it themselves.
Whether that means improving personal efficiency, learning about emerging delivery models, or connecting with other drivers for shared knowledge, self-investment is the path forward. Technology can either replace you or empower you, and the difference lies in how you adapt.
Based on reporting from Business Insider, “Uber, Lyft, DoorDash say they need to spend more on self-driving tech,” November 2025.
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