TechCrunch – The Apple Car that never was: A timeline
A truly fascinating and in depth timeline of the ill fated Apple Autonomous/Electric Vehicle program. Amazing that at one point it had 5,000 employees!
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Scouring the news for interesting articles on robotaxis.
Read MoreTechCrunch – The Apple Car that never was: A timeline
Washington Post – Apple ramped up its autonomous car project last year. Now, it’s killing it.
After spending billions of dollars, Apple realized that it is best to completely abandon their autonomous electric vehicle program. This article is very relevant because it shows that the current autonomous vehicle business is in collapse. It is an especially important message for Cruise.
SF Chronicle – Driverless robotaxis are causing less mayhem on S.F. streets. City officials explain why
Robotaxi disruptions for emergency responders have fallen significantly for the last 6 months. This is due to Cruise suspending operations, and because Waymo is now more careful to avoid geolocated incidences. Also, Waymo now gives emergency responders ability to manually move a vehicle.
Bloomberg – GM’s Cruise Prepares to Resume Robotaxi Testing After Halt
Cruise is reportedly nearing resuming robotaxi testing in Houston or Dallas. There is no schedule and currently deliberations continue. They will use "safety drivers" (which is of course expensive).
TechCrunch – Waymo’s application to expand California robotaxi operations paused by regulators
Waymo was hoping to soon expand its robotaxi service in Los Angeles and San Mateo, which would include San Francisco Airport. But the CPUC regulators ruled that their application for expansion has been suspended for 120 days, until June 2024.
SF Standard – Activists gather in Chinatown to demand immediate ban on self-driving taxis in California
A coalition of San Francisco residents, safety advocates and workers is demanding Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately ban self-driving taxis, accusing the companies that operate them of endangering public safety. Waymo counters with statements from disability groups (to whom Waymo donated generously). Taxi drivers explain that people with disabilities often need a driver to help.
