The self-driving revolution is being fueled by beer

This week, a self-driving truck, operated by Uber-owned Otto, drove 120 miles in Colorado to deliver 2,000 cases of Budweiser. But the barreling truck carrying 51,744 cans of beer -- labeled with Otto -- is quite symbolic of Uber's past, present and future. If there's one industry (other than taxicabs) that has contributed to the rise and success of ride-hailing companies, it's alcohol. SEE ALSO: The story of Otto, the creator of Uber's self-driving truck When I traveled to Pittsburgh to test Uber's self-driving cars in August, I took a few regular Uber rides to chat with drivers about their experiences. Two things were clear: They didn't believe that their jobs as drivers were in jeopardy anytime soon, and they were quick to mention their frequent confrontations with drunk passengers.