Tesla, Waymo will add more robotaxis to city streets
Brooks is not optimistic about the future for robotaxis. “It may just be, at least for the next 20 to 30 years, a matter of [them] replacing ride-share and taxi drivers.”
By Dan Zukowski
January 30, 2025
Self-driving robotaxis will likely appear in more cities and states this year amid a more favorable federal regulatory environment, industry officials and observers say.
Despite the demise of General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi business in 2024, more than $100 billion in funding has gone to companies engaged in developing and operating robotaxi technology over the past decade, according to a 2024 report by research and consulting firm IDTechEx. These operators face few regulatory barriers, but the industry seeks greater clarity — and they may get that in this Congress.
“What you’re likely to see in 2025 is steady progress with robotaxis, where you see companies like Waymo — but also other companies like Motional and Zoox — that are deploying on a city-by-city basis,” said Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. Uber and Lyft plan to roll out robotaxis in partnership with these and other providers, the ride-hailing companies have said.
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