Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
This page shows all the articles on Robotaxi.rodeo with the most recents ones first. Select an article below, or select a specific topic to browse using the menu above.
SF Examiner reports on the new Waymo "safety" dashboard, which is basically just company propaganda. If Waymo was actually interested safety then they would pivot to providing cost effective driver assist technology. And they would instead alternative forms of transit, and of course, better road design.
Washington Post reports on California legislation that would require vehicles built after 2030 to warn drivers when they are speeding. Even though this would obviously improve safety, it is being fought against by automobile manufactures and the constitutional right to recklessly speed community. But if safety is the goal, this type of technology would make much more of a difference than robotaxis, given it would apply to all new cars.
Now we know Waymo's full business plan: stealing luggage when dropping people off at the airport. No wonder they aren't allowed at SFO.
NY Times reports on the myth of "driverless" robotaxis. It turns out that all of the robotaxi companies have large and expensive remote operation centers, where actual humans help drive the vehicles for the inevitable situations where automation simply does not work.
NY Times asks the truly pertinent question: is Waymo a viable business that will continue? While most articles dwell on safety issues, the NY Times digs into how Waymo might not continue once it realizes it is in a hopeless taxi business where they have to front all the costs.
SF Examiner reports on how Cruise has vanished from SF by their ineptitude, but that Waymo has continued to grow.
SF Examiner reports that the California state Legislature has once again approved requiring vehicles over 10,000 to have a human operator on board. It is now up to Gov Newsom to sign the legislation. But given his love of lobbyists he will most likely veto it for the second time.
Mission Local reports on how robotaxis will not be ticketed for breaking the law after all, perpetuating a two tiered system for safety.
UC Davis study shows that contrary to claims by Uber and Lyft, their trips replace more sustainable options like transit and walking, half the time. And of course, robotaxis are exactly the same.
SF Chronicle reports that Waymo is starting to understand that they need to have a profitable business in order to continue.
Jalopnik reports on how Tesla will continue to NOT be able to use FSD in the Las Vegas tunnel. Some form of driver assistance, yes, but not FSD. And this is the technology that robotaxis are to be based on?
Wired reports that Waymo has not started curbside pickups and drop-offs at the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in Arizona. And indeed, people who cannot lift their suitcases into the trunk will simply not be accommodated.
CNBC reports that at the World Robot Conference many humanlike robots were doing various activities. But the Tesla Optimus Robot was stationary, in a plastic box, not even powered on. This is a preview of the Tesla robotaxi unveiling, which, if it ever happens, will be another Elon Musk farce.
WSJ reports that yet another import VP has departed from Tesla. The rats are clearly jumping ship, given their lack of faith in Tesla's purported future.
Bloomberg reports on an purported deal where Uber will offer Cruise robotaxi rides early 2025.
