Uber launches Uber Freight to disrupt the trucking industry

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Just as people in smaller cities are getting the opportunity to experience the ride-sharing service Uber, the company is launching a new way to get a load of freight hauled.

Uber Freight is launching in the United States, providing a way for drivers and customers to get hitched through an Uber-based service.

According to the Uber blog:

Uber Freight is an app that matches trucking companies with loads to haul. We take the guesswork out of finding and booking freight, which is often the most stressful part of a driver’s day. What used to take several hours and multiple phone calls can now be achieved with the touch of a button.

With over 9 million truck drivers in the U.S., it’s clear that technology companies are taking a keen interest in creating new business models for customers, drivers and trucking companies. This coincides with research looking at robotic trucks completely replacing drivers.

Before you say that trucking is different and this won’t happen, look at what Amazon did to retail, and what Uber has done to the taxi industry. If companies can find cheaper freight, they will use it, which pressures traditional freight suppliers to adjust and change. Ultimately, a farmer who needs a load hauled — and isn’t picky who does it — could be among the winners.

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