A More Perfect Union – I Rode A Driverless Taxi. What I Learned Will Scare You
A More Perfect Union created an excellent short video on the ramifications on workers if robotaxis are widely adopted. The situation is grim.
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
Robotaxi.news
Are robotaxis the future? Or instead, the past?
$$$
Robotaxis are not just limited by weak technology. They unfortunately also don’t make any business sense…
Read MoreA More Perfect Union – I Rode A Driverless Taxi. What I Learned Will Scare You
SF Examiner – Waymo rolls out new vehicles in San Francisco
SF Examiner reports on the new Zeekr vehicles that Waymo wants to use. Though since there is currently a 100% tariff on importing Chinese vehicles into the US, these vehicles are likely to not be a widespread solution due to their cost.
FastCompany – Uncovered records reveal the hidden costs of Waymo robotaxis on San Francisco streets
FastCompany looks at a database of problems the San Francisco transit agency has had with Waymos, and it turns out to be far worse than Waymo lets on to.
SF Standard – Robot turtles: Waymo’s next-gen cars could be buggy Hyundai EVs
SF Standard reports that Waymo is planning on switching to Iioniq 5 cars, but those vehicles have been found to be quite unreliable. Not ideal when you are trying to operate a fleet of them, mostly remotely.
electrek – Tesla avoids 30-day California sales suspension after dropping misleading ‘Autopilot’ marketing
electrek reports that Tesla has dodged a 30-day suspension in California by finally changing their false marketing campaigns. Tesla is completely dropping "AutoPilot" and will only refer to FSD through the amazing contradiction of "Full Self Driving (supervised)"
electrek – Tesla ‘Robotaxi’ status check: 8 months in, 19% availability, and all of Musk’s promises are missing
electrek fact checks Elon's statements on the alleged Tesla robotaxi service and finds that it is all just a bunch of lies.
The Verge – Waymo’s next-gen robotaxi is ready for passengers — and also ‘high-volume production’
The Verge reports on Waymo talking around one of their biggest problems: they don't manufacture cars. Therefore they have to adapt their technology to a series of vehicles. And note that the Zeekr is a Chinese import which current has a 100% tariff levied.
Waymo Reveals Remote Workers in Philippines Help Guide Its Driverless Cars
Newsweek reports that Waymo has finally publicly acknowledged that 1) their vehicles are not truly autonomous and need human help in driving in certain situations; and 2) this human driving help can be located many thousands of miles away, in the Philippines! No wonder Waymos run over kids and animals.
Waymo is going to have fun burning through another $16 billion
Waymo announces in their blog that they have raised another $16 billion and are now valued at $126 billion. Given they have a hopelessly money losing venture it is a shame that the money couldn't be spent on street safety infrastructure instead and actually make a difference.
NY Times – Tesla Robotaxis Are Big on Wall St. but Lagging on Roads
The NY Times reports on how Tesla robotaxi hype has greatly inflated the Tesla stock price yet Tesla doesn't even have the technology for autonomous driving and no road to profitability.
NY Times – China Delays Plans for Mass Production of Self-Driving Cars After Accident
NY Times reports on how China is now delaying their plans for widespread adoption of robotaxis. It turns out that they are no where near safe enough for full autonomy.
Bloomberg – Waymo Seeking Over $15 Billion Near $100 Billion Valuation
Bloomberg reports that Waymo is currently trying to raise $15 Billion in order to have a near $100 Billion valuation. If they have to run over a few cats and dogs to get there, so be it.
CNBC – Waymo expanding to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and St. Louis with manual test drives
CNBC reports that Waymo is now planning on expanding to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
The Driverless Digest – What CPUC Data Reveals About Waymo’s Deadheading and Utilization
The Driverless Digest reports on that based on CPUC data that Waymo vehicles are empty (deadheading) for almost half of miles driven.
KRON – Waymo pledges donation after beloved San Francisco corner store cat struck, killed
KRON reports that Waymo acknowledges that one of their robotaxis struck and killed a beloved cat. But hey, they promise to make a donation to an unrelated cause.
