Have you ever been woken up in the dead of night by the incessant honking of a car horn? Residents of San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood have experienced just that, not from unruly drivers, but from autonomous vehicles. Specifically, it’s the Alphabet-backed Waymo robotaxis that have been causing quite a commotion. But what’s the fuss all about?
- Honking Jaguars: Waymo’s signature white Jaguars are not being discourteous; they are programmed to honk when they detect a vehicle nearby that might be reversing into them. The company claims to have updated the software to reduce the noise disturbance for the neighborhood.
- Industry Growth: Despite the clamor, the autonomous vehicle industry is on the rise. A recent study by the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association revealed that AVs have traveled a whopping 70 million miles on public U.S. roads. This advancement showcases the 59% increase in autonomous miles driven over nine months, solid evidence of the industry’s growth and success.
- Fear and Uncertainty: Despite the industry’s progress, the public’s reception towards autonomous vehicles remains divided. A survey conducted by the American Automobile Association found that nine out of ten drivers were either fearful or unsure about using fully self-driving vehicles.
- Industry Advancements: Various companies like Tesla, Amazon-owned Zoox, Cruise, and Uber are forging ahead with their autonomous vehicle plans. Tesla is set to unveil its Robotaxi, while Cruise and Uber recently announced a partnership to introduce autonomous vehicles for Uber riders.
- Reservations and Challenges: Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, expressed reservations about Tesla’s autonomous plans and hinted at more partnerships with global AV players. However, the road to fully self-driving cars may face challenges as shown by technical difficulties encountered by different AV companies.
In conclusion, the journey towards mainstream acceptance of autonomous vehicles is anything but smooth. The honking, fears, and technical hurdles are just the beginning of what this industry faces on the road to autonomous driving. Let’s buckle up for a bumpy ride into the future of mobility on wheels.
