White-Hot Race: Waymo Leaps Ahead Before Tesla Joins the Self-Driving Game
Autonomous Taxis Pioneered by Waymo: Pre-Launch Stir Caused Before Tesla's Entry
Look ma, no hands! The self-driving car industry is revving up in the US, with Waymo cruising past competitors left and right while Tesla is still warming up their engines. You know who's probably sweating it out? Elon Musk.
Google's pesky sibling, Waymo, is racing to extend its robotaxi business, beating potential newcomers to the finish line. According to Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, Waymo's self-driving rides are now serving over 250,000 paying passengers per week, an astonishing increase since it only hit 200,000 trips at the end of February.
Since then, Waymo has shifted into high gear, expanding its service to more ground in the San Francisco area and Silicon Valley. In a surprise move, the driverless cars can now be rented through Uber’s platform in Austin, Texas. If you're in Washington D.C., wait till 2026, and you can grab a ride as well.
Auto Week German Behemoth Volkswagen to Roll Out Robotaxis in U.S., Starting 2026
Volkswagen revealed this week that it's teaming up with Uber to bring fully autonomous vehicles to American roads by 2026. Musk declared earlier that Tesla aims to fire up its own robotaxi service in Austin by the end of June, starting with 10 to 20 compact SUV Model Y cars. According to Musk, Tesla's newest models oughta have all they need to drive on their own, making a market dominance of over 90% a breeze, he claims.
Musk's also indicated that autonomous capabilities for individual Tesla owners will be activated in several US cities before the end of this year. Woah, Elon, let's take it one step at a time, shall we?
Auto Week General Motors Pausing on the Robotaxi highway After a $10 Billion Investment
Gimme a Break, Musk!
Ever since Musk began gloating about self-driving cars, the industry's been giving him the side-eye. Tesla enthusiasts can only watch their vehicles, stuck with "Autopilot" which just happens to be a help system where the driver's gotta stay awake and alert.
Industry experts and competitors dismiss Musk's grand promises, questioning his reliance on cameras instead of the pricier laser radars championed by Waymo. The extra technology significantly hikes up Waymo's vehicle cost, but it provides the autonomous driving software with reliable data that cameras can't provide.
On the other hand, the US traffic safety authority seems to be bending the rules for Tesla, officially easing some information requirements for manufacturers dealing with driving assistance systems, which gladly benefits Tesla's "Autopilot" system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still investigating several "Autopilot" incidents, with unsettling whispers that staff cuts were due to Musk's cost-cutting measures reaching the agency. Tricky business, don't ya think?
Source: ntv.de, ino/dpa
- Autonomous Driving
- Robotaxis
- Alphabet Inc.
Enrichment Data Excerpts:
- Current Operations: Waymo is currently operating robotaxis in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
- Strategic Partnerships: Waymo is partnering with Lyft for ride-hailing services, and its robotaxis are integrated into the Lyft app.
- Regulatory Approvals: Waymo has received regulatory approval to charge passengers for rides in its robotaxis in Arizona and California and is seeking approval in other regions.
- Tesla's Strategy: Tesla plans to turn its vehicle owners into human safety drivers for other cars in a robotaxi network with autonomous capabilities activated in their cars. However, the regulatory and technical hurdles are yet to be cleared broadly.
[1] [https://www.thedrive.com/news/38755/waymo-self-driving-taxi-service-could-expand-to-austin-d-c-atlanta-and-other-us-cities][2] [https://www.daiwayo.com/en/news/news-20220316-01/][3] [https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/30/waymo-uber-deal-technology-partnership-autonomous-vehicles.html]
- The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the autonomous driving and robotaxi industry continues to expand, requiring stringent safety measures.
- Tesla, recognizing the growth in the robotaxi industry, aims to join the race, announcing plans to deploy its own autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, by the end of June, following in the footsteps of Waymo and Volkswagen.
- Meanwhile, albeit facing regulatory and technical challenges, Tesla's strategy includes activating autonomous capabilities for individual owners across several US cities before the end of this year, potentially expanding its presence in the automotive technology sector.
- Despite opposition from industry experts and competitors, Elon Musk continues to emphasize the benefits of camera-based autonomy, dismissing the need for pricier laser radars, a technology preferred by Waymo due to its reliable data provision.
- Amidst the race to develop robotaxis, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration faces scrutiny due to its easing of information requirements for manufacturers dealing with driving assistance systems, raising concerns over regulatory oversight and the safety of autonomous vehicles.
