The future is here, but unevenly distributed. Whilst robotaxis may seem like a pipe dream to many, in several parts of the world they are already a reality. In Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and soon Austin, anyone can hail a Waymo robotaxi just as one would any other ride, at any time of day. Waymo One’s robotaxis have already racked up 20 million miles without any human driver, of which 2 million have been paid.
The cost of robotaxis is falling. Whilst Waymo’s current vehicles cost an estimated USD 200,000 each, it is trialing a new model which “brings down the cost significantly” according to Waymo’s management. Baidu’s Apollo claims that its purpose-built RT6 costs under USD 40,000. Whilst the ‘public’ part of public transport can lead to a suboptimal experience, shared mobility with robotaxis promises the comfort of a private vehicle with the cost of public transport, and the most convenient aspects of both.
Source: California Public Utilities Commission, July 2024.