Tesla's driverless robotaxi now carries passengers in Austin
Tesla's Cybercab is now operating in Austin: 45-57% cheaper than Uber and with no driver. Taxi drivers are on the ropes.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Tesla's robotaxi is now on the road in Austin: 45% cheaper than Uber and with no driver
A driverless Tesla Cybercab carrying a passenger has been spotted in downtown Austin, Texas. Footage shared on social media shows the vehicle driving normally, stopping at traffic lights and crosswalks. This is no test: the service is now officially operating in the city.
The autonomous taxi war
Tesla builds its own taxis, not adapted from other brands, and can produce 125,000 units a year with its current infrastructure. The projection is exponential: today 45, soon 100, then 500, then 1,000 a day. According to user data, the cost of a ride is 45-57% cheaper than Uber. Its competitor Waymo has applied for licenses in several European cities. Get used to the idea.
What about taxi drivers?
The question many are asking is what will happen to taxi licenses. The suggestion of selling the license and retiring to Benidorm no longer seems so far-fetched, although for some it comes too late. Those who bought one at a premium and are still paying off the mortgage are now watching its value collapse. It is a similar case to overpriced Spanish property.
The technical doubt remains: what would the robotaxi do if a cardboard box were placed in the middle of a pedestrian crossing? Skeptics question its ability to dodge unexpected obstacles. But the data suggest the expansion will be unstoppable. The question is whether the technology is ready for urban chaos.
A driverless Tesla Cybercab carrying a passenger has been spotted in downtown Austin, Texas. Footage shared on social media shows the vehicle driving normally, stopping at traffic lights and crosswalks. This is no test: the service is now officially operating in the city.
The autonomous taxi war
Tesla builds its own taxis, not adapted from other brands, and can produce 125,000 units a year with its current infrastructure. The projection is exponential: today 45, soon 100, then 500, then 1,000 a day. According to user data, the cost of a ride is 45-57% cheaper than Uber. Its competitor Waymo has applied for licenses in several European cities. Get used to the idea.
What about taxi drivers?
The question many are asking is what will happen to taxi licenses. The suggestion of selling the license and retiring to Benidorm no longer seems so far-fetched, although for some it comes too late. Those who bought one at a premium and are still paying off the mortgage are now watching its value collapse. It is a similar case to overpriced Spanish property.
The technical doubt remains: what would the robotaxi do if a cardboard box were placed in the middle of a pedestrian crossing? Skeptics question its ability to dodge unexpected obstacles. But the data suggest the expansion will be unstoppable. The question is whether the technology is ready for urban chaos.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).
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