Autonomous Level 4 is here!
Latest news on Robotaxi services!
August 10, 2023
Waymo and Cruise are now authorized to collect fares for driverless rides in San Francisco!
This is a big step forward to a sustainable mobility for all!
"SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10, 2023 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
approved Resolutions granting additional operating authority for Cruise LLC and Waymo LLC to conduct commercial passenger service using driverless vehicles in San Francisco. The approval includes the ability for both companies to charge fares for rides at any time of day."
More information on the CPUC website here.
August 11, 2023
Waymo’s next chapter in San Francisco
Today, Waymo received its driverless deployment permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the final step in a robust process with regulators before we could offer a paid fully autonomous ride-hailing service in San Francisco. In the coming weeks, we’ll begin charging fares for rider-only trips in the city and gradually welcoming more riders into the service.
Level 4, together with remote assistance or control when required, will enable the CabiBUS vehicles to navigate all streets and roads within 100 km (62 miles) around each city, covering most of the daily commuting and trips now made by private, fossil fuel cars.
With no driver, shared ride, and electric drive, the cost per passenger km will be comparable with current public transit and much lower than using a passenger car. Together with the comfort, privacy and protection in the individual cabins, it will be the most attractive commuting alternative for most car users.
Very interesting update on the Robotaxi status in the world! By Marc Amblard
High-level autonomy
"Many of Geely Group’s cars already boast high levels of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard, offering a driving experience inclusive of the industry’s leading safety features.
Group brands have also signed cooperation agreements with leaders in the field of automation, including a cooperation between Waymo and Volvo Car Group, which aims to have one-third of its sales with full autonomous drive capabilities by 2025." Link
At a special event at the sixth World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) this month, the local government in Shanghai’s Pudong district issued its first batches of licences for the commercialisation of unmanned autonomous driving.
Companies includingBaidu‘s Apollo, AutoX andPony.aiwere among the first to obtain permits to conduct commercial road tests using driverless intelligent connected taxis. These companies are now allowed to offer robotaxi services on specified open roads in the Pudong without a safety supervisor on board.
The municipal authorities in Beijing this month also agreed to allow eligible companies, including Baidu and Pony.ai, to commercially operate driverless taxis in designated areas within the Yizhuang district without a safety supervisor on board.
Robotaxis with SAE Level 4 are now used for passenger transportation in several cities both in USA and China.
WASHINGTON, Feb 28, 2022 (Reuters) - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Monday issued permits to self-driving units of General Motors (GM.N) and Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) to allow for passenger service in autonomous vehicles with safety drivers present.
CPUC said the GM unit Cruise and Alphabet's Waymo are under Drivered Deployment permits authorized to collect fares from passengers and may offer shared rides.
Remember the date, Waymo is officially launching an important part of the Future of Mobility!
The other two, equally important, parts are electric drive and safe shared travel, as in CabiBUS. Let us hope that Waymo soon makes it all happen!
Next Stop for Waymo One: Los Angeles
October 19, 2022
"Los Angeles will be Waymo’s next ride-hailing city, joining Phoenix and San Francisco as we expand to more locations. We’ve gotten to know many LA neighborhoods, including Downtown and Miracle Mile, Koreatown, Santa Monica, Westwood and West Hollywood, and we’ll begin driving autonomously in several central districts over the coming months as we prepare to serve Angelenos."
"We’re making it safe and easy for everyone to get around - without the need for anyone in the driver’s seat."
Bloomberg
The State of the Self-Driving Car Race 2020
Waymo is still the one to beat. But in a post-Covid world, autonomous will enable more of our contactless needs.
From Hyperdrive
15 maj 2020 11:00
"Moving cities forward
We’re a self-driving car service designed for the cities we love."
"Shaping the future together
Cruise vehicles are purpose-built for self-driving at a dedicated GM manufacturing plant. Our cutting-edge hardware and software work seamlessly together to transform the way we all experience transportation."
See on YouTube 100% autonomous drive in San Fransisco already in January 2019, fantastic!
IDTechEx report April 2020
Autonomous Cars and Robotaxis 2020-2040
The report describes that many large vehicle manufacturers plans to launch Level 4 vehicles within 2023!
"The arrival of autonomous driving will revolutionise the way people travel."
