How robotaxis are dividing San Francisco

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

How robotaxis are dividing San Francisco

28 August 2023

By James Clayton
BBC North America technology reporter

My heartbeat quickens just a little as the cab approaches. It's a bizarre sight, one that I thought I wouldn't see in my lifetime.

The cab has no driver. It stops in front of me and invites me to unlock its door with my phone - before whisking me into the night.

But as I am about to get in, a passer-by approaches.

"They're unsafe," he tells me. He says he saw someone nearly get run over by a robotaxi - and warns me to be careful.

He represents a faction in San Francisco that doesn't like robotaxis - and believes the city has agreed to a dangerous experiment, which is putting lives at risk.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66611513


A Waymo robotaxi being "coned"

[Old Crank]

1. 14 deaths for pedestrians in SF so far in 2023

How many were Robo taxis? Zero. I couldn't find the injury numbers. If reported they are usually more than 10 times greater.
If these things can reduce danger and reduce vehicle miles travelled they will be good. If they can reduce the need for people to feel like they need at least one car to get around they will be good.

When I need a car, I rent one. I can rent by the hour, day or longer.
Much cheaper than ownership. Average cost per month in the US is almost $900.

Do they have issues to fwork out? Yes. There are some many things to program in for that we as drivers probably don't even look out for. More autonomous vehicles with interconnectivity the better and safer the roads will get.