Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Didi has withdrawn and other Chinese companies have scaled back from the California’s autonomous vehicle testing program. Didi’s exit from California comes amid growing geopolitical tensions between the US and China, with concerns about data collection practices. Plus could be due to public reaction due to Cruise issues.
Article from Washington Post on how the first apparent Testa Full Self-Driving fatality was a Tesla employee who was a huge fan of the companies technology. Tragedy ensues.
Article from the Verge by Andrew J. Hawkins on why we don't have the autonomous vehicles we were promised. The excellent article presents not only the history of the development of autonomous vehicles, but also why it has taken so long, why the predictions have been so far off (especially with Tesla), and why so much money has been thrown at the technology.
False excitement on autonomous vehicles by showing that testing by Apple had tripled. The article is misleading since the reason the increase in testing miles was a factor of three was because Apple had previously done so little testing.
Aptiv is scaling back involvement in its self-driving joint venture Motional, halting further funding and reducing its stake after heavy losses. The move mirrors industry peers like GM and Ford, who face challenges in developing autonomous driving.
General Motors is slashing Cruise's 2024 budget by $1 billion despite a commitment to its robotaxi venture. Following an accident resulting in investigations, GM seeks to refocus Cruise, now enduring a $2.7 billion loss and restructuring. CEO Barra emphasizes safety and talent retention, as expansion plans are paused.
