Tesla’s Driverless Taxis

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece delve into Tesla’s recent RoboTaxi event, featuring innovations such as the CyberCab, a RoboVan, and the humanoid robot, Optimus. They’re joined by Gregg Hayes from Phoenix, Arizona, to provide insights into the advancements and challenges in the driverless car industry, following his own experince using Waymo driverless taxis.

The centerpiece of the event, the CyberCab, is a fully autonomous taxi with a promised price of under $30,000 and operating costs as low as $0.20 per mile. Despite the excitement, Shaun remains skeptical, noting Tesla’s history of unfulfilled promises, particularly regarding Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. Gregg highlights Tesla’s reliance on cameras and AI over LiDAR for navigation, contrasting this approach with Waymo’s detailed mapping and sensor systems, which have proven successful in Phoenix.

Tesla’s RoboVan was also unveiled, capable of transporting up to 20 people or goods, emphasizing its utility for high-density urban areas. The conversation expands to include the humanoid robot, Optimus, described as a future personal assistant capable of tasks like dog walking, childcare, and household chores. While Elon Musk touts this as potentially the “biggest product ever,” the team debates the feasibility of such promises, with Shaun expressing doubt about its practicality and timeline.

Gregg and Steven emphasize the significant role of regulation and safety concerns in the delayed rollout of autonomous vehicles. The discussion ends with a broader reflection on Musk’s dual role as a visionary and controversial figure in the tech industry.