Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
All the robotaxi companies claim that their safety is much better than obsolete human drivers. But are they really safer given that they seem to crash so often? This clearly needs to be investigated further.
CarScoops reports on how Waymo is already having trouble with importing Zeekr EVs, which are intended to replace the Jaguars used for robotaxi service. The Zeekr have already been recalled 3 times for safety issues.
AutoEvolution reports on a study that shows that only some ADAS systems actually improve safety. These useful features include Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which reduces crash probability by 19.1%. The second most effective safety driving aid was the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which lowered accident risks by 14%. Finally, we also have Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), with the third-highest crash rate reduction of 10.7%.
A Tesla Cybertruck being driven autonomously by FSD does not detect a very large traffic pole and jumps the curb and crashes right into it. This happened immediately in front of an elementary school, that was fortunately closed at the time.
KTLA reports that a Waymo was rear ended by a hit-and-run driver. 3 of the 4 passengers in the Waymo were transported to the hospital due to injuries.
elektrek reports that the head of FSD at Tesla has stated that based on this data FSD still needs a 1,400x further improvement to enable unsupervised self-driving.
ABC7 reports on Waymo's driving through a sinkhole at full speed, even though the intersection was closed. Video of course is worth 1,000 words.
Carscoop reports on how Washington State is considering requiring speed governors for those who received a suspended license. This is being proposed due to 70% of drivers with a suspended license continuing to drive.
Forbes reports that Automatic Emergency Braking has been shown to be effective, yet the mandate for it might be killed by the Trump administration.
San Francisco Chronicle reports on how a person and a dog were killed and multiple cars were destroyed including a Waymo. This happened even though robotaxis are widely available in San Francisco. This dramatically shows that robotaxis are not the answer for safety. Instead, better street design is.
Mission Local reports on yet another crash due to Tesla "automatic" driving system. The idea that Tesla could create a working robotaxi system based on this technology is ludicrous.
SF Examiner reports that the state court has rejected a lawsuit from December 2023 by the City of San Francisco. The lawsuit was attempting to overturn the California PUC's decision from October of 2023 to allow Waymo (and Cruise) to provide citywide robotaxi service.
Reuters reports on how NHTSA closes its probe into Cruise with respect to pedestrian safety. The probe was closed simply because Cruise is no longer viable.
Washington Post reports on how while the public continues to be very reluctant about robotaxis, the industry is planning on plowing ahead due to the expectation that the new Trump administration will gut safety standards.
electrek reports that Tesla's issues with its self-driving computers is so big that they have had to issue a recall for 200,000 vehicles due to the vehicles not meeting NHTSA requirements.
Detroit Free Press reports that several crash avoidance systems were flummoxed by reflective safety’s clothing, leading to significant danger.
