Waymo

Waymo is fortunate to have a better reputation than the rest, but their incident rate is still not acceptable…

SF Chronicle – Why Waymo robotaxis won’t be taking passengers to SFO, or on Bay Area freeways, anytime soon

Article from SF Chronicle explaining that though the CPUC granted Waymo permission to serve the peninsula, Waymo still needs permission from SFO to serve the airport. Also, Waymo does not have a timeline for expanding to cover the peninsula. Plus Waymo doesn't currently provide autonomous service on freeways yet due to safety issues.
Read MoreSF Chronicle – Why Waymo robotaxis won’t be taking passengers to SFO, or on Bay Area freeways, anytime soon

TechCrunch – Stellantis CEO says there’s still life in Waymo deal for self-driving delivery vans

This article is only of interest because it shows how drastically robotaxi plans have changed over the last few years. Waymo purchased from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) 100 minivans in 2016 and then another 500 in 2017. In January 2018 it was announced that Waymo was ordering "thousands" of minivans for a 2018 self-driving fleet rollout. In August 2018 it was announced that Stellantis was going to supply (up to) 62,000 minivans to Waymo/Google. But that is all just a distant memory.
Read MoreTechCrunch – Stellantis CEO says there’s still life in Waymo deal for self-driving delivery vans

SF Chronicle – Driverless robotaxis are causing less mayhem on S.F. streets. City officials explain why

Robotaxi disruptions for emergency responders have fallen significantly for the last 6 months. This is due to Cruise suspending operations, and because Waymo is now more careful to avoid geolocated incidences. Also, Waymo now gives emergency responders ability to manually move a vehicle.
Read MoreSF Chronicle – Driverless robotaxis are causing less mayhem on S.F. streets. City officials explain why

SF Standard – Activists gather in Chinatown to demand immediate ban on self-driving taxis in California

A coalition of San Francisco residents, safety advocates and workers is demanding Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately ban self-driving taxis, accusing the companies that operate them of endangering public safety. Waymo counters with statements from disability groups (to whom Waymo donated generously). Taxi drivers explain that people with disabilities often need a driver to help.
Read MoreSF Standard – Activists gather in Chinatown to demand immediate ban on self-driving taxis in California

And now it is Waymo’s turn

The recent torching of a Waymo robotaxi shows that there simply is no smooth sailing for the company. Sure, they might drive somewhat better than Cruise vehicles. But they still have serious flaws that show that long term viability is doubtful. Plus they do stupid things, and when they do they are quite vulnerable. Therefore they have now become the target of robotaxi ire.
Read MoreAnd now it is Waymo’s turn

The Verge – Dude, where’s my self-driving car?

Article from the Verge by Andrew J. Hawkins on why we don't have the autonomous vehicles we were promised. The excellent article presents not only the history of the development of autonomous vehicles, but also why it has taken so long, why the predictions have been so far off (especially with Tesla), and why so much money has been thrown at the technology.
Read MoreThe Verge – Dude, where’s my self-driving car?

The Robot Report – San Francisco files lawsuit to pump brakes on robotaxis

On December 11th 2023 San Francisco sued California's Public Utilities Commission to limit robotaxis, following safety incidents with autonomous vehicles (AVs) like those from Cruise and Waymo. The suit seeks to review and revoke permits that allowed unchecked expansion and demands better safety measures and regulations. Although Cruise lost its permits, Waymo, expanding to LA, remains affected. Waymo has challenged the city's appeal, emphasizing its commitment to safe operations.
Read MoreThe Robot Report – San Francisco files lawsuit to pump brakes on robotaxis

Washington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

San Francisco is suing a state commission for letting autonomous vehicle companies, like Waymo and GM's Cruise, operate without strict regulation, following numerous safety incidents. The city's action reflects growing concerns over self-driving cars, which were initially welcomed. The legal challenge aims to compel more rigorous safety standards and reporting for these vehicles, amidst fears they're compromising public safety and disrupting emergency services. Waymo remains operational, while Cruise lost its permit after a crash.
Read MoreWashington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

SF Standard – State Bill Would Give Cities Like San Francisco the Power To Regulate Robotaxis 

See full original article in the SF Standard by Kevin Truong. Editors note: the text of SB-915 has some very good specific language: Cruise likely does not currently have the ability to fight against this legislation. As robotaxi companies Waymo and Cruise expanded their services across San Francisco last year, one of the…

Read MoreSF Standard – State Bill Would Give Cities Like San Francisco the Power To Regulate Robotaxis 

SF Chronicle – S.F. robotaxi rides exponentially increased in the city — even after severe crash

See full original article in the SF Chronicle by Ricardo Cano Autonomous ride-hailing in San Francisco surged dramatically last year after state regulators granted Cruise and Waymo’s unrestricted expansion in the city as more people tried riding in self-driving cars, most of them gravitating toward Waymo taxis. Waymo accounted for more than 80% of the…

Read MoreSF Chronicle – S.F. robotaxi rides exponentially increased in the city — even after severe crash