Are Robotaxis the Future of Transportation?

In the streets of San Francisco, driverless cars roll into the wee hours. They are the robotaxis, equipped with technology to obey traffic rules and navigate routes with no one at the wheel. Similar to requesting an Uber ride, individuals can hail rides from robotaxis operated by the two autonomous vehicle (AV) companies Cruise and Waymo.

Although the city has granted these companies permission to expand, the launch of the robotaxis has been rocky. These cars have stopped suddenly in traffic, failed to register stop signs, blocked ambulances, and driven up to active fire scenes. With hundreds of incident reports filed, the rise of the robotaxi has provoked concerns about the true safety of such technology. Would it be more wise, for example, to invest in public transportation instead of driverless cars?

The persistent popularity of ride-hailing services like Uber has been proven to save hundreds of American lives by significantly reducing drunk driving accidents. Those who support robotaxis argue that AVs will only amplify the present advantages to ride-hailing. First, the primary reason behind collisions is often human error – drivers can face fatigue, distraction, or plain carelessness. By eliminating human drivers from the equation, robotaxis reduce a huge risk factor involved in ride-hailing.

Second, without the need for driver pay, autonomous vehicles offer significantly lower ride prices to the public. Thus, more risk-prone drivers like teenagers and elders could potentially be drawn to safer alternatives. Additionally, those who do not own cars will have greater access to transportation, ultimately increasing social interaction and community engagement.

So why are there protestors advocating so fervently against AVs? Most concerns seem to revolve around the reliability of AV systems. From moving unpredictably on roads to struggling with challenging weather conditions, AV technology is far from gaining widespread public confidence. Others point out that cars, self-driving or not, are inefficient with the space they occupy, and the resources they consume. The affordability of traveling by robotaxis could lead to a greater number of people taking trips by cars, magnifying the traffic congestion and public transit challenges that cities face. Instead, some argue that we should be focusing on the potential of bikes, trains, and buses to improve urban transportation systems and reduce environmental impact.

Regardless of whether or not robotaxis will achieve mass adoption, their emergence raises a myriad of questions that must be addressed by public policy. What regulations should be in place to ensure their safe operation? How will the potential displacement of human drivers affect the economy? Where could data security vulnerabilities emerge in the operation of robotaxis? As technology continues to revolutionize the transportation sector, it remains to be seen whether or not autonomous vehicles represent an innovative solution or pose a greater threat to city streets.

Sources
Evers, Andrew, and Deirdre Bosa. “Why San Francisco’s Robotaxi Rollout Has Been Such a Mess.” CNBC, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2023, www.cnbc.com/2023/11/04/why-san-franciscos-robotaxi-rollout-has-been-such-a-mess.html.

McGillis, Jordan, et al. “Self-Driving Cruise, Waymo Cars Draw Fans and Foes in San Francisco.” Bloomberg.Com, Bloomberg, 20 Sept. 2023, www.bloomberg.com/features/2023-self-driving-taxis-case-for-and-against/.

McGillis, Jordan. “Autonomous Now: Why We Need Self-Driving Technology and How We Can Get It Faster.” Manhattan Institute, 26 July 2023, manhattan.institute/article/why-we-need-self-driving-technology-and-how-we-can-get-it-faster.

Schneider, Benjamin. “Robotaxis Are Here. It’s Time to Decide What to Do about Them.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 15 Aug. 2023, www.technologyreview.com/2023/06/23/1074270/obotaxis-decision-time/.

Wiener, Anna. “Robo-Taxis Are Legal Now.” The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023, www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-silicon-valley/robo-taxis-are-legal-now.

Image Credits:
AP Photo/Matt York