Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Cars, being fast moving and heavy, are quite dangerous. They should be well regulated for safety. But it turns out regulations can be bought and paid for by lobbying money…
SF Standard reports that the California Public Utilities Commission confirmed on Friday that Tesla has NOT received approval from the CPUC to offer autonomous passenger service to customers, paid or unpaid, with or without a driver. And they have not even applied for the proper permit. In short, they are not allowed to operate the service they claim to be moving forward with.
Reuters reports that NHTSA has dropped their investigation of multiple Waymo incidences including collisions and traffic violations. No action was taken.
Business Insider reports that Tesla is planning on providing illegal non-autonomous ride hail service in San Francisco starting this weekend. The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates passenger service, will not be pleased.
Jalopnik reports that Boston folks and their city officials do not want Waymo robotaxis without first understanding their impact on equity and employment.
Boston Globe reports that City Councilors are not happy with Waymo providing robotaxi service in Boston due to concerns about congestion, safety, and workers.
NBC Bay Area reports on efforts to create a national law for significantly improving reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles.
The NYC Daily News Editorial Board urges the city to put up significant guardrails before allowing Waymo robotaxis.
Streetsblog questions the safety of the Tesla autonomous driving system by showing how it doesn't stop for school buses and would run over a child given the opportunity.
Reuters reports on how Tesla "robotaxis" have already malfunctioned enough that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is asking them what the heck is going on.
Reuters reports on how Tesla refuses to release any safety information. Sounds like they know how unsafe their driving system actually is.
The Verge reports on how Tesla's robotaxi attempt is in Texas because of the extremely lenient laws there. Their politicians appears to simply not care at all about safety of the public.
KXAN Austin reports on how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that Tesla has answered their questions on how they plan on offering robotaxi service safely. But Tesla won't allow the answers to be released to the public even though they will be using public roads.
Bay Area Current provides more in depth reasons for why protestors have been burning Waymos
Waymo is apparently a bit tired of being the target of political ire. So they are hiding away for a few days.
It is remarkable that officials in San Francisco have to put out announcement that if Waymos are lit on fire during protests that they likely will just let them burn
