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.
Reuters reports that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is finally requiring the robotaxi companies to report critical information on incidents. Instead of reporting being optional once past the test phase of an implementation, it will be mandatory to report collisions and when vehicles simply get stuck in traffic or receive tickets.
Forbes reports on how using a Waymo is significantly slower and more expensive than using an Uber or Lyft. The only reason to take one is for the novelty of a Disneyland like ride.
The Verge reports that Zoox's claim that they have permission to operate on public roads is simply false.
Business Insider reports on how Tesla is requiring test drivers to test Full [sic] Self Driving on public roads - and not take over if at all possible when mistakes occur. The result is that Tesla has been endangering the public by running red lights, speeding, and getting far too close to pedestrians and bicyclists.
SF Chronicle reports that Zoox will soon start service in San Francisco, though in just a small portion.
Jalopnik reports on how a Tesla on FSD hit and killed deer, and then didn't even stop the car. This crash was due to the Tesla relying on only a vision system instead of 3D sensors such as LiDAR or ultrasonic. If FSD cannot detect a deer it certainly won't be able to see pedestrians in similar situations.
Barron's reports that Waymo reached their goal in raising $5.6 billion. This is it folks, the hype peak of robotaxis!
David Zipper reports in Bloomberg on how robotaxis cause harm to public transportation, and that their statements otherwise are simply greenwashing.
NBC4 Washington reports that the Tesla Smart Summon system is dangerous and shoddy. And even though the self driving system has always had problems, Tesla has switched away from using much needed distance sensors.
Waymo has long claimed that their robotaxis are safe and that the more they drive, the safer they will be. But the number of crashes sure has jumped according to the data from the NHTSA.
This is likely the biggest autonomous traffic jam ever! Thanks for nothing, Waymo.
The Verge reports that Cruise is still losing a tremendous amount of money even though it is not currently providing robotaxi service.
Waymo is once again being misleading. This time, not only are their vehicles zero emission, but they are also claiming that they encourage public transit use.
Washington Post reports on how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating four Tesla crashes where "Full Self Driving" was engaged. All crashes occurred when there were visibility issues. These suggest that Tesla only using computer vision instead of LiDAR is insufficient for autonomous driving. And this is of course extremely pertinent given that Tesla's stock price is now based on robotaxis, which are in turn based on technology which Tesla does not have and is not pursuing.
NBC Bay Area published an important three-part series on how Uber and Lyft have been discriminating against people who use service animals. This is a rare situation where Waymo actually is doing the right thing.
