News

The news media has expended considerable effort researching and publishing information about the robotaxi business. This channel highlights some of the important articles.

MIT Technology Review – What’s next for robotaxis in 2024

Robotaxi companies face multiple challenges in 2023, including rebuilding public trust after accidents and proving their profitability against conventional ride services. In San Francisco, Cruise's accident and workforce cuts highlighted industry risks, while Waymo expands cautiously. Despite high costs and regulatory hurdles, robotaxis operate in select US and Chinese cities. Europe lags, focusing on mass transit. The industry wrestles with safety transparency and pressure to reduce costs, striving to remain viable amidst rapid technological and competitive landscapes.

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Electrek – Tesla finally releases FSD v12, its last hope for self-driving

Elon Musk claims Tesla's FSD Beta v12 update brings a shift to end-to-end neural networks, replacing vast lines of explicit code. If successful, the AI-driven system may fulfill longstanding self-driving promises. Skeptics anticipate rollout issues, as prior updates have been unpredictable. The v12 is now rolling out to select early beta testers, with Tesla's credibility in FSD on the line.

Read MoreElectrek – Tesla finally releases FSD v12, its last hope for self-driving

Teslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Waymo is poised to enter Los Angeles as it seeks CPUC approval to extend its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, while simultaneously collaborating with local stakeholders. Amidst previous expansions and 24-hour operations in San Francisco, competitor Cruise faces setbacks following an accident and permit revocation, highlighting Waymo's leading position in the race for driverless market dominance as noted by Dan O’Dowd, a critic of Tesla's FSD.

Read MoreTeslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Automotive News – Cruise casts shadow on self-driving tech at CES 2024

See full original article by Pete Bigelow at Automotive News. Cruise-related headwinds dampened the autonomous outlook in some quarters, but trucks may keep on rolling. LAS VEGAS — Self-driving vehicles and advances in automated-driving technology have been a CES staple since Audi drove an A7 autonomously from San Francisco to…

Read MoreAutomotive News – Cruise casts shadow on self-driving tech at CES 2024

SF Standard – State Bill Would Give Cities Like San Francisco the Power To Regulate Robotaxis 

See full original article in the SF Standard by Kevin Truong. Editors note: the text of SB-915 has some very good specific language: Cruise likely does not currently have the ability to fight against this legislation. As robotaxi companies Waymo and Cruise expanded their services across San Francisco last year, one of the…

Read MoreSF Standard – State Bill Would Give Cities Like San Francisco the Power To Regulate Robotaxis 

SF Chronicle – S.F. robotaxi rides exponentially increased in the city — even after severe crash

See full original article in the SF Chronicle by Ricardo Cano Autonomous ride-hailing in San Francisco surged dramatically last year after state regulators granted Cruise and Waymo’s unrestricted expansion in the city as more people tried riding in self-driving cars, most of them gravitating toward Waymo taxis. Waymo accounted for more than 80% of the…

Read MoreSF Chronicle – S.F. robotaxi rides exponentially increased in the city — even after severe crash

Forbes – Buttigieg Seeks Robocar Safety. Here’s How He Should Do It

See full original article by Brad Templeton at Forbes. In the wake of the recent tumultuous period for General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi unit, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeieg recently declared, “We’re going to do everything we can with the authorities we do have, which are not trivial,” to ensure self-driving vehicles…

Read MoreForbes – Buttigieg Seeks Robocar Safety. Here’s How He Should Do It