I want to adapt Alan Kay's great comment used for commending the first Apple Macintosh computer: Andrew's essay on robotaxis here is "good enough to criticize." which translates "to well worth reading." Given the Elon Musk Tesla cultish fan club, the essay here is furthermore brave. I also bet it will emerge as prescient. Disclosure, however: I'm working closely with Andrew on our End of Driving textbook so I know how deeply and carefully he thinks about the topics in "Changing Lanes."
Now I suggest and hope you'll write something about the probabilities around the ongoing years of work of Google-Alphabet-Waymo on developing and deploying robotaxis. All sorts of video available online to illustrate progress in deployment, including the ongoing live stream of the Waymo vehicle holding yard in San Francisco at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=h53xlXu_6C4
I certainly will write about this soon... but not immediately. My "beat" here is not just automated driving, but mobility, innovation, and progress. There have been matters to cover in other areas I would like to cover. But don't fear, robotaxis will never be far from my thoughts
Good piece! Do you have more details on Zoox's revenue deployment in Las Vegas? I see lots of articles about them testing there but can't find anything about there being a commercial service yet.
I think I may have gotten this one wrong. I will revise the piece to reflect.
I do have contacts there and am expecting to speak to them in person next month. When I get clarity on this, I will let you know (to the extent I am permitted to do so).
I want to adapt Alan Kay's great comment used for commending the first Apple Macintosh computer: Andrew's essay on robotaxis here is "good enough to criticize." which translates "to well worth reading." Given the Elon Musk Tesla cultish fan club, the essay here is furthermore brave. I also bet it will emerge as prescient. Disclosure, however: I'm working closely with Andrew on our End of Driving textbook so I know how deeply and carefully he thinks about the topics in "Changing Lanes."
Thanks, John! I appreciate the kind words.
Now I suggest and hope you'll write something about the probabilities around the ongoing years of work of Google-Alphabet-Waymo on developing and deploying robotaxis. All sorts of video available online to illustrate progress in deployment, including the ongoing live stream of the Waymo vehicle holding yard in San Francisco at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=h53xlXu_6C4
I certainly will write about this soon... but not immediately. My "beat" here is not just automated driving, but mobility, innovation, and progress. There have been matters to cover in other areas I would like to cover. But don't fear, robotaxis will never be far from my thoughts
Good piece! Do you have more details on Zoox's revenue deployment in Las Vegas? I see lots of articles about them testing there but can't find anything about there being a commercial service yet.
Nothing I can share (yet)...
So when you say they began revenue service in June that’s based on your own sources rather than an official zoox announcement?
Timothy,
I think I may have gotten this one wrong. I will revise the piece to reflect.
I do have contacts there and am expecting to speak to them in person next month. When I get clarity on this, I will let you know (to the extent I am permitted to do so).