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Robotaxis seem like a risky investment. Even if the tech gets nailed (and at the moment it struggles in urban environments), will legislators ever allow them? M

by fergie 3y ago

Robotaxis seem like a risky investment. Even if the tech gets nailed (and at the moment it struggles in urban environments), will legislators ever allow them? Most EU cities have legislation in place to curb traffic growth which robotaxis fly in the face of- its easy to see how "circling" instead of parking could create congestion. There seem to be too many problems related to liability. How do you replace all of the non-driving tasks of a taxi-driver? (cleaning, lifting bags, etc., helping with elderly/disabled people).

ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago
Risky investments are good investments. If you invest, that is your business. You get paid to carry risk. Legislators already allow robotaxis. Look at Waymo and Cruise.
- fergie 3y ago
  Right, but SF actually seems to be back-pedalling on them. They seem to work better in Phoenix, but similar areas (car-centric urban sprawl) are a fairly limited market. Also- if I am wrong and robot taxis become super successful- would that affect sales of Teslas to private customers?
  - ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago
    Buying a car is going away just like buying CDs and DVDs went away. And running your own email server. Most people just want to get from A to B, not deal with the investment into and maintenance of a car.
ben_w 3y ago
> How do you replace all of the non-driving tasks of a taxi-driver? (cleaning, lifting bags, etc., helping with elderly/disabled people). This was my thought too when it was first discussed, but now he wants to use the same AI to power a humanoid robot, which (if it worked) would make this easy. My guess is that the performance of AI necessary for humanoid robots will not be available in a fully independent form-factor for at least 5-10 years after level 5 full self driving… but that belief is due to the electrical power envelope, so a humanoid robot whose sole purpose is these kinds of non-driving taxi related tasks, that I can believe may come sooner.

by fergie 3y ago

ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago

Risky investments are good investments. If you invest, that is your business. You get paid to carry risk. Legislators already allow robotaxis. Look at Waymo and Cruise.

fergie 3y ago
Right, but SF actually seems to be back-pedalling on them. They seem to work better in Phoenix, but similar areas (car-centric urban sprawl) are a fairly limited market. Also- if I am wrong and robot taxis become super successful- would that affect sales of Teslas to private customers?
- ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago
  Buying a car is going away just like buying CDs and DVDs went away. And running your own email server. Most people just want to get from A to B, not deal with the investment into and maintenance of a car.

ben_w 3y ago

> How do you replace all of the non-driving tasks of a taxi-driver? (cleaning, lifting bags, etc., helping with elderly/disabled people). This was my thought too when it was first discussed, but now he wants to use the same AI to power a humanoid robot, which (if it worked) would make this easy. My guess is that the performance of AI necessary for humanoid robots will not be available in a fully independent form-factor for at least 5-10 years after level 5 full self driving… but that belief is due to the electrical power envelope, so a humanoid robot whose sole purpose is these kinds of non-driving taxi related tasks, that I can believe may come sooner.