Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
The news media has expended considerable effort researching and publishing information about the robotaxi business. This channel highlights some of the important articles.
New York Magazine article. Apple canceled their EV/AV program, simply because they could not make it workable. Despite the hype, self-driving is far more complicated than most people thought. A bit of successful self-driving doesn't mean that the fantasy can or should always work.
GM has drastically lowered the value of Cruise by billions and billions of dollars. Cruise valuation dropped roughly from $30 billion to $15 billion. And GM is taking a loss of about $11.6 billion.
In a surprising turnabout, the CPUC granted Waymo permission to expand service to the Bay Area peninsula and to most of Los Angeles. This still does not allow Waymo to provide service to the SFO airport though.
Article from SF Examiner on how the City of San Francisco is objecting to Cruise's proposal to the CPUC to end the investigation into the incident where Cruise vehicle hit and dragged a pedestrian.
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!
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.
This article is only of interest because it shows how drastically robotaxi plans have changed over the last few years. Waymo purchased from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) 100 minivans in 2016 and then another 500 in 2017. In January 2018 it was announced that Waymo was ordering "thousands" of minivans for a 2018 self-driving fleet rollout. In August 2018 it was announced that Stellantis was going to supply (up to) 62,000 minivans to Waymo/Google. But that is all just a distant memory.
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.
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).
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.
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.
The Giants can have a winning season again. They finally got rid of the Cruise patches! Boy, that sure was cringeworthy.
While robotaxi companies continue to make false claims about how they are all about safety, an actual solution moves forward. California Senate Bill 961 by Senator Scott Wiener would require Intelligent Speed Assist in new California vehicles in 2027. This is a proven, equitable, and workable solution.
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.
The recent torching of a Waymo robotaxi shows that there simply is no smooth sailing for the company. Sure, they might drive somewhat better than Cruise vehicles. But they still have serious flaws that show that long term viability is doubtful. Plus they do stupid things, and when they do they are quite vulnerable. Therefore they have now become the target of robotaxi ire.
