Uber's self-driving cars put tech's 'move fast, break things' credo to the test

Uber became the dominant ride-hailing company in the U.S. by operating under the principle that it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. In city after city, the San Francisco company launched without first consulting local regulators, often in violation of rules governing taxi companies. As it grew popular, statewide bans were nearly always overturned and legislation crafted to legalize app-based ride-hailing services, helping Uber roll out in more than 45 states. Now, as Uber ventures into self-driving cars -- with the long-term goal of having fleets of vehicles that don't require a driver behind the wheel -- it appears to be embracing the same aggressive tactics. But what worked in Uber's war on taxis may not work in its war on drivers, according to technology and transportation analysts, who say regulators may prove less willing to cave now that the company is pushing technology that the public doesn't yet trust.