Tag Archives: Robotaxi

News

Zoox recalled 270 robotaxis

Ever since self-driving cars hit the roads, there have been many problems that companies have had to deal with. A few days ago, Amazon recalled 270 of its Robotaxi due to software issues.

On May 8 in San Francisco, an electric scooter driver crashed into an Amazon Robotaxi, after which the vehicle did not stop but continued to move in autonomous mode. Fortunately, the scooter driver, who suffered minor injuries, managed to escape and avoid more serious injuries.

The company recalled all vehicles after the accident and conducted an investigation. Analysis showed that the vehicle, after stopping, could not detect a person lying injured on the road in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, the software would allow the vehicle to continue moving forward because obstacles were not detected.

Software errors are only possible at speeds below 1.7 km/h. The company resolved the problem by updating the software, which was confirmed in simulations, as well as in real-world testing.

Amazon Zoox is currently being tested in several US cities (Las Vegas and San Francisco). The company plans to make the robotaxi available to the public in Las Vegas, as part of a plan to give free rides to select people in exchange for feedback.

Source: Reuters

Gallery:

Zoox recalled 270 robotaxis
News

GM stopped funding Cruise robotaxis

After a series of accidents, the American self-driving car company Cruise, which became a subsidiary of General Motors, has suspended operations at the end of 2023. In May, it returned its vehicles to public roads, but now the company’s survival is in question, as GM has suspended financing.

Since taking over Cruise in 2016, GM has invested almost $10 billion in the company and now intends to reach agreements with shareholders and increase its stake from 90 to 97 percent. The company has also decided to end funding for robotaxis at a time when Waymo, backed by Alphabet, is expanding to more cities, and Tesla plans to start its robotaxis business in 2026.

General Motors’ primary goal is autonomous vehicles for personal use, and keeping the robotaxis project alive is financially unsustainable due to the enormous costs. In 2023, Cruise lost $3.48 billion, which could lead to large-scale layoffs.

“Given the time and cost required to scale up a robotaxi business in an increasingly competitive market, joining forces seems more efficient,” said Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors.

Source: Reuters; Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Tesla Cybercab has arrived

After seeing the unsuccessful presentation of the Robotaxi Verne in June, yesterday we could witness another presentation of this type of vehicle. It’s the long-awaited Tesla Cybercab that was supposed to debut in August, but it didn’t happen because the company wanted to improve the vehicle with some new technological solutions.

The Cybercab design is inspired by the Cybertruck model. It is equipped with a full-length LED light line in the front, a light line in the back, and a butterfly door that no other Tesla car has. Also, since it is an autonomous vehicle, there are no side mirrors and no back glass either.

Inside, as expected, a minimalist design with a large central infotainment screen and two seats, without a steering wheel or pedals.

The car is Musk’s desire to impress investors and Tesla fans may help the company’s shares, which have not seen much growth this year due to weak sales of electric cars. However, some feel that Tesla is still far behind Waymo.

Although the Cybercab is equipped with Tesla’s latest autonomous driving systems, Missy Cummings, a professor at George Mason University and an expert in artificial intelligence who advises the California DMV on the topic of autonomous vehicles, believes that Tesla is not a serious candidate for real applications of autonomous driving. “I think they are at least 10 years away from implementation.”

The company stopped reporting to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) back in 2019, nor does it update outside experts or the media on its progress. Regulators have been closely monitoring Tesla’s Autopilot and fully autonomous driving programs for some time, and the technical problems surrounding those programs suggest that it will be extremely difficult to fulfill Musk’s vision anytime soon.

Source: Tesla, Forbes

Gallery:

Tesla Cybercab has arrived