Amazon Building ‘Uber for Trucking App,’ Business Insider Says
Amazon.com is working on an app to pair truck drivers with shippers, Business Insider reported.
The outlet cites a “person with direct knowledge of the matter” that the app is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2017 and is designed to make it easier for truckers to find shippers moving goods, akin to how Uber pairs drivers with riders.
“The app will offer real-time pricing and driving directions, as well as personalized features, such as truck stop recommendations and a suggested "tour" of loads to pick up and drop off. It could also have tracking and payment options in order to speed up the entire shipping process,” Business Insider reported.
Amazon has made several moves recently into the logistics space, including leasing planes, buying truck trailers and registering an ocean freight booking business, but has denied that its ambitions include becoming a full-fledged logistics company.
In February, Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky downplayed the possibility of the company expanding to become a global shipping and logistics firm, saying that Amazon was looking to supplement its delivery partners — not replace them — during peak periods such as the Christmas shopping season.
There has been speculation that Amazon might even target FedEx as part of a desire to move further into shipping, prompting FedEx CEO Fred Smith to call the idea of a merger fantastical.
“Concerns about industry disruption continue to be fueled by fantastical — and I chose this word carefully — articles and reports,” Smith said on a conference call with analysts and investors. “In all likelihood, the primary deliverers of e-commerce shipments for the foreseeable future will be UPS, the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx.”
