The article discusses the progress and challenges surrounding Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode and the broader race to develop autonomous vehicles, particularly robotaxis. It highlights Tesla’s ambitious plans to launch a robotaxi service as early as 2024, leveraging its FSD technology. However, the article also notes the skepticism surrounding Tesla’s claims, as FSD still requires human supervision and has faced scrutiny from regulators. The article contrasts Tesla’s approach with that of Zoox, a startup acquired by Amazon, which aims to build a purpose-built robotaxi from the ground up. Zoox’s approach involves developing a bi-directional vehicle designed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing services. The article explores the potential impact of robotaxis on urban transportation, citing estimates that suggest they could reduce the cost of ride-hailing services by up to 90%. It also discusses the regulatory challenges and safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles, as well as the competition from tech giants like Google’s Waymo and traditional automakers. Overall, the article paints a picture of an intensifying race to bring fully autonomous vehicles to market, with significant implications for the future of transportation and mobility.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-full-self-driving-mode-fsd-zoox-robotaxi-amazon-2024-10