Obi CEO, Ashwini Anburajan, recently joined Harry Campbell – also known as “The Rideshare Guy” – on his Driverless Digest podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of rideshares and robotaxis. The discussion covered Obi’s mission, how AVs are shifting consumer behavior, and what autonomous vehicles like Waymo could mean for the cost of getting around.

Obi’s Mission: The Kayak for Rideshare

The insight behind Obi is simple: prices vary widely, sometimes by 20–50% for the same ride. “A dollar is enough to move a consumer from one provider to another,” Ashwini explained. In markets like New York, the difference may be small under normal conditions, but weather events or supply shortages can trigger huge gaps. Outside the U.S., differences are even more dramatic. Yet until Obi, the rideshare world had no equivalent of Kayak to compare prices.

Consumer Behavior: Loyalty vs. Price Sensitivity

Despite these disparities, not everyone shops around. Obi data shows about 20% of riders are “loyalists,” sticking with Uber or Lyft regardless of price unless the gap exceeds $5. But the majority – roughly 60% – actively compare prices before booking. Loyalty programs like Uber One or Lyft Pink encourage stickiness, yet many consumers still double-check Obi to maximize savings.

This creates what Ashwini calls “healthy inertia”: while convenience matters (like grabbing the first ride late at night), the rise of new players like Curb, Empower, and now Waymo has spurred more price-checking behavior.

The Rise of Waymo and Premium AV Pricing

Of course, Ashwini talked through Obi’s exciting recent study of Waymo pricing. Running test routes across San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, Obi found Waymo rides were consistently 30-40% more expensive than Uber or Lyft. Surprisingly, consumers didn’t mind.

“Seventy percent of riders preferred the Waymo experience to having a driver in the car,” Ashwini noted, citing factors like vehicle quality and the novelty of autonomous rides. Parents were even open to letting their kids ride in Waymos, highlighting the trust premium these vehicles command.

This suggests Waymo is successfully positioning itself as a premium product. For Ashwini, the lesson is clear: “If you can maintain that identity, charge the prices, and continue to scale, why would you ever go back from that?”

Global Growth and Local Realities

The conversation also highlighted Obi’s international footprint and ambitions for growth. In markets like Brazil, Nigeria, or the Middle East, local players like InDrive, Bolt, Yango, and Careem dominate. Each has tailored features to local culture, from bidding systems to female driver options. Obi integrates these services, making it a valuable tool for both international travelers and local riders.

What It All Means for Consumers

The big picture is that rideshare pricing is up across the board compared to pre-pandemic levels, yet demand continues to grow as car ownership declines. Autonomous entrants like Waymo, Zoox, and now Tesla’s robotaxis will add more choices, likely driving long-term competition and innovation.

For consumers, the takeaway is simple: check your options. Whether you’re choosing between Uber and Lyft, or testing a robotaxi, Obi ensures you know what you’ll pay before you ride.

Obi is free to download and available on iOS and Android.