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.
Inside EVs reports that Tesla is concerned that someone is going to mess with their alleged robotaxis. But they for some reason think the threat might be from wireless interference.
electrek reports on Elon Musk's absurd prediction that Tesla Robotaxis will cover half the population of the US. Pure comedy!
Wired reports that a recent survey shows that people are not interested in Tesla's alleged robotaxi service in the first place. Difficult to address the technical issues when their biggest problem is lack of demand.
ABC 7 News reports that a Waymo took a passenger on a "shortcut" and they ended up stuck in the Waymo dungeon parking garage. Whoops!
NBC Bay Area reports that the Tesla trial has started. They have been brought to court by the California DMV for (allegedly) misrepresenting the capabilities of theiri Autopilot and Full Self Driving systems.
GM Authority reports that NHTSA staffing is being cut by 25%. This will of course affect the ability of NHTSA to foster safety.
NY Times reports on an update on the current Tesla Autopilot court case. The driver testifies that Autopilot failed to do what was expected, to prevent a fatal crash.
electrek reports that Tesla might lose ability to sell cars in California for 30 days or more because they misrepresented to customers the capabilities of Autopilot and Full Self Driving.
Fortune reports on how Tesla’s robotaxi attempt in Austin is quite weak and will not be able to scale nor make a profit. Oh, and the robotaxi didn't detect crossing arms coming down at a railway crossing. That is quite scary.
NBC Bay Area reports on efforts to create a national law for significantly improving reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles.
electrek reports that after Tesla tried to get attention by extending their Austin service area into the shape of a phallus, Waymo simply put them in place by expanding their service area even further.
CNBC reports that Elon Musk's company Neuralink allegedly committed fraud by declaring themselves a disadvantaged business. This shows that nothing that Musk's claim, such as self driving capabilities, can be trusted.
Futurism reports on the HSBC analysis on how robotaxi companies will have great difficulty making a profit.
Business Insider covers a report from HSBC that shows that the potential market for driverless taxis was "widely overestimated". Indeed, it isn't about the robotaxi technology (or the lack of it for Tesla). the problem is that the robotaxi companies are not going to be able to make a profit.
electrek reports that a Tesla engineer had to admin in a deposition that critical safety info on Autopilot had been deleted
