NY Times – After Power Outage, San Francisco Wonders: Can Robot Taxis Handle a Big Earthquake?
NY Times reports on how Waymo robotaxis would cause significant problems when the next big earthquake hits San Francisco.
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Politics
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…
Read MoreNY Times – After Power Outage, San Francisco Wonders: Can Robot Taxis Handle a Big Earthquake?
NY Times – Waymo Suspended Service in San Francisco After Its Cars Stalled During Power Outage
NY Times reports on the widespread Waymo outage in San Francisco during a power failure. The allegedly autonomous Waymos turn out to depend on the cellular system to operate. But the truly scary thing is that Waymo did not even have a contingency plan. They had to be told by the Mayor's Office to suspend service.
Mission Local – Waymo halts service during massive S.F. blackout after causing traffic jams
Mission Local reports on the disaster that was Waymo during a power outage. Waymos were stuck all over, blocking traffic and emergency access. This was due to the vehicles not actually being truly autonomous, but instead on relying on cellular communication that apparently Waymo didn't realize doesn't work when power goes out for a while.
The Register – California DMV tells Tesla to ease off on those Autopilot claims
The Register reports that the California DMV is not at all happy with Tesla's marketing the "Autopilot" system. They have found Tesla to be in violation. If they do not update their marketing materials within 60 days they will be suspended from sales in California for 30 days.
TechCrunch – Feds find more complaints of Tesla’s FSD running red lights and crossing lanes
TechCrunch reports on how complaints on Tesla's behaving dangerously just keep on piling up.
TechCrunch – Feds ask Waymo about robotaxis repeatedly passing school buses in Austin
TechCrunch reports on how NHTSA is now investigating 19 cases where a Waymo illegally passed a stopped school bus. 19 times!
KQED – Waymo, Uber, Lyft to Expand on SF’s Market Street, Despite Pushback From Transit Groups
KQED reports that San Francisco is planning on letting all commercial vehicles on "car-free" Market Street based on completely flawed testing.
CBS Austin – Waymo vehicles caught illegally passing AISD school buses 19 times since August 1
CBS Austin reports video evidence of Waymo vehicles illegally passing school buses 19 times. Further evidence that Waymo vehicles simply are not designed to follow traffic safety laws.
NYT Opinion – The Data on Self-Driving Cars Is Clear. We Have to Change Course.
While the title is correct, we do need to change course, the opinion piece is just another tech fantasy. The truth is that the data show that the solution for safety is clearly better designed streets and better safety policies. Simply look at Europe to see how safety can be greatly improved through street design, not robotaxis.
The Driverless Digest – What CPUC Data Reveals About Waymo’s Deadheading and Utilization
The Driverless Digest reports on that based on CPUC data that Waymo vehicles are empty (deadheading) for almost half of miles driven.
NY Times – Self-Driving Taxis Are Catching On. Are You Ready?
NY Times reports on how there are more and more robotaxis, and they take a ride on a Zoox.
SF Chronicle – A Waymo robotaxi killed a beloved S.F. cat. Now a city supervisor wants driverless car reform
SF Chronicle reports on on Supervisor Jackie Fielder of San Francisco is trying to push for state legislation to allow local control of robotaxis. This was motivated by Waymo killing a beloved bodega cat.
TechCrunch – Waymo co-CEO on robotaxi vandalism: ‘We’re not standing for it’
TechCrunch covers how Waymo wants to arrest people who vandalize Waymo vehicles. Meanwhile they kill pets with impunity.
The Lever – Robotaxis’ Dream Regulator Takes The Wheel
The Lever reports that a regulator, who is more interested in promoting rather than regulating AVs, has been appointed as the new head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ArsTechnica – Tesla FSD gets worse at driving, NHTSA opens new investigation
ArsTechnica reports on how Tesla FSD has actually been performing worse lately. And the NHTSA opens up a new investigation due to numerous reports of FSD traffic violations.
