They're spending an awful lot for control of a market that is expected to disappear within a few years when self driving cars mature.
Of course, they are aware of it and are investing in being a leader in that market - but they're fighting with global giants over there, not the local Taxi outfits.
If anything, I could see Uber being one of the first adopters of self-driving cars when they're ready. They're already investing in it heavily, hiring away 40 robotics researchers from CMU to focus on it. [1] They want to corner the market, get everyone using Uber, and then eventually make the change to self-driving vehicles when they're ready.
Of course, they are aware of it and are investing in being a leader in that market - but they're fighting with global giants over there, not the local Taxi outfits.