Two models of artificial intelligence. Two visions of autonomous driving. The automotive and technology giants are fiercely competing and, at the same time, converging on the same stage: London. The British capital, already immersed in pilot programs, is preparing to see driverless vehicles begin to make their way through its streets. The debate is inevitable: what future awaits flesh-and-blood taxi drivers?

From early Tuesday morning, hundreds of taxis occupied Gran Via and Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, ​​in a new strike that failed to convince the entire sector. The action, called by Élite Taxi, was the first warning issued by taxi drivers in defense of the future taxi law. currently undergoing parliamentary processingIn the face of pressure to back down from platforms like Uber, the association's spokesperson, Tito Álvarez, led the taxi drivers' demonstration towards Foment del Treball, jokingly changing the employers' association's name to "Foment del Treball Precario" (Promotion of Precarious Work). With around 500 taxis parked on one of the city's main thoroughfares, according to the Guardia Urbana (Barcelona's municipal police), the protesters gathered in front of the association's headquarters to criticize its support for ride-hailing platforms. "We are the people at the bottom fighting against those at the top. They will not silence us, and we will not be immobilized by the Uber mafia," said Álvarez, to the rhythm of firecrackers exploding along Via Laietana, a protest against "the financial vultures."

Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, declared war on Uber this Thursday in response to the alleged violations it is committing in Spain with the use of fake self-employed workers on its UberEats delivery app. "I'm not going to fool the Spanish government, and I can tell you now that the full force of the law will fall on this company in response to the violations it is demonstrating in our country," she stated during the presentation of the Labor Inspectorate's strategic plan for the period 2025-2027.

In addition to being a major civic event, La Mercè is a major festival comprised of several festivals that showcase the cultural richness of the Catalan capital. The artistic exhibitions bring together nearly 500 activities each year. Uber aims to strengthen its role in Barcelona's culture and music and becomes the partner cultural event that accompanies the people of Barcelona during their big celebration, La Mercè 2025. The company's goal is to be by the citizens' side during one of the most festive times of the year.

In a Barcelona where the battle between taxis and VTCs continues to be won by the former, a new chapter opens with the acquisition of FreeNow, the most widely used mobile app for hailing taxis in the city. It has been acquired by the American company Lyft, Uber's main rival in its home market. The deal was announced in mid-April and only closed a week ago. These months have been dedicated to complying with all the legal requirements to operate in the 180 European cities where FreeNow is present, with 150,000 taxi drivers. Aside from Spain, its app can be downloaded in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, France, and Austria.

Growing digitalization and unwanted loneliness are two factors that can affect older adults. However, there are increasing initiatives seeking to reduce their impact. Furthermore, several initiatives are planned for next year with the aim of making technology more understandable to older adults so they can apply it in their daily lives. Family profiles and senior accounts

Uber Senior offers advantages and features to improve accessibility for seniors or those with disabilities. To use it, you must create a family profile in the app and invite parents, grandparents, or elderly loved ones to register as a senior user. The new rider will then receive a message with a link to download the app and create their account. From that moment on, the senior user can request rides with the help of a family member or individually, thus further enhancing their autonomy.

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FC Barcelona and Uber announced today a strategic agreement that turns the mobility platform into Official Partner of the club until 2027. The alliance, presented this Tuesday at an event with Barça player Pau Cubarsí, the club's CEO, Manel del Río, and the general manager of Uber in Spain and Portugal, Felipe Fernández Aramburu, aims to improve fan travel and optimize traffic management at Espai Barça.

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Uber, the ride-hailing platform (VTC), continues to support Barcelona and, despite the imminent approval of the new Catalan taxi and VTC regulations, assures the media that it has no intention of leaving: "We are here to stay." The company stated this at a meeting with the media on Tuesday, a message it ratified with the announcement of the launch of Uber Green, its 100% electric car service, in the Catalan capital.

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Uber is expanding its mobility offering in Spain with a new option that allows users to book train tickets directly from its app. This new option, which launches at the start of the travel season, aims to facilitate travel by offering a unified, convenient, and frictionless experience. Starting in May 2024, Uber users in Spain can book train tickets directly through the app. The feature, accessible from the "Services" section within the Uber app, allows users to compare and purchase tickets between the country's main rail operators—Renfe, Iryo, and Ouigo—and make the purchase without any booking fees. Additionally, as an added incentive, Uber is offering a 10% refund of the ticket value in credit that can be used for future Uber trips, new train ticket purchases, or Uber Eats orders.

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There are enmities whose intensity does not wane with the passing of time. The confrontation between the taxi sector and the transport app Uber has been a constant since the American company first began operating in Barcelona in 2014. Since then, the company has made two more attempts to return to the Catalan capital. The third was launched this Tuesday, using only by taxis and Catalan platform Social Car's shared cars. Even so, the response of taxi drivers has been the same as in previous attempts. After an assembly at Sants station, the Élite Taxi association has called the first mobilisations to protest against Uber's return. The sector will hold a slow drive through the city on Thursday that will start at Plaça Espanya, past the headquarters of employer association Foment del Treball on Via Laietana and end at the Parliament of Catalonia.

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