Are robotaxis the future? Or now in the past?
Are robotaxis the future? Or now in 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.
UC Davis study shows that contrary to claims by Uber and Lyft, their trips replace more sustainable options like transit and walking, half the time. And of course, robotaxis are exactly the same.
SF Chronicle reports that Waymo is starting to understand that they need to have a profitable business in order to continue.
Jalopnik reports on how Tesla will continue to NOT be able to use FSD in the Las Vegas tunnel. Some form of driver assistance, yes, but not FSD. And this is the technology that robotaxis are to be based on?
Wired reports that Waymo has not started curbside pickups and drop-offs at the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in Arizona. And indeed, people who cannot lift their suitcases into the trunk will simply not be accommodated.
CNBC reports that at the World Robot Conference many humanlike robots were doing various activities. But the Tesla Optimus Robot was stationary, in a plastic box, not even powered on. This is a preview of the Tesla robotaxi unveiling, which, if it ever happens, will be another Elon Musk farce.
WSJ reports that yet another import VP has departed from Tesla. The rats are clearly jumping ship, given their lack of faith in Tesla's purported future.
Bloomberg reports on an purported deal where Uber will offer Cruise robotaxi rides early 2025.
SF Standard reports that the reason some people like Waymo robotaxis is because they are able to have their kids ride alone, since there is no human driver to enforce the rules.
Streetsblog reports on how equity implications of autonomous vehicles has not at all been adequately addressed
Business Insider reports that Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter was the worse deal for banks in a long time. The banks still are burdened by not being able to sell off these risky loans. This is more evidence that Tesla/Musk do not even have the financial capability of creating a robotaxi fleet.
Tesla trucks were supposed to be so clean and amazing. But Jalopnik reports that of the very few of them out on our roads, one of them crashed and caught fire, spewing toxic fumes and closing I-80 for many hours. Tesla is clearly incapable of providing something as complicated as a safe robotaxi system.
Waymo reports that they served 100k paid trips in a week. They should have also mentioned that they have about the same number of completely empty trips, clogging our roads and generating pollution.
The Verge reports that Waymo will be using fewer sensors in the future to lower costs. The article also explains that the vehicle in question will face a 100% tariff since it is made in China.
KRON4 reports that AWS is illegally putting robots on the sidewalks of Market Street in San Francisco. And they are solely for advertising, which is even more reprehensible.
Financial Times reports on how the emissions from Big Tech are growing rapidly, and how their "carbon offsets" are allowing them to hide their true emissions.
