Uber and Lyft Prepare to Deploy Robotaxis in Select US Cities
Uber and Lyft are gearing up to deploy robotaxis in select US cities this year, marking a significant shift in urban transportation. The ride-hailing giants are building infrastructure and training crews to maintain the cameras and lidar systems of the autonomous vehicles.
New app features will allow users to open the trunk and locate the vehicle using their phones. The companies are scouting locations for the vehicles to idle and charging, as well as equipping them with high-speed internet to handle data demands.
Automakers, tech giants, and ride-hailing companies are betting big on robotaxis, believing they can reduce road accidents caused by human error, lower labor costs, and increase profits. Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving EVs are already operational in several cities, with plans to expand to more this year.
Uber has partnered with Waymo to deploy its self-driving Jaguar I-Pace EVs in Austin and Atlanta, while Lyft has partnered with start-up May Mobility, AV technology company Mobileye, and dashcam firm Nexar to deploy robotaxis in Atlanta.
However, robotaxis face challenges in terms of safety, public trust, and logistics. Waymo riders have reported harassment and vandalism, and there are concerns about how the vehicles will operate in adverse weather conditions. Despite these challenges, Waymo has seen a significant increase in ridership, with nearly 500,000 passengers using its service in August 2024.
The incoming Trump administration is expected to exert its influence over autonomous vehicle regulations, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to advise the US government on streamlining approvals for autonomous vehicles. The company hopes to launch its Robotaxi by 2027.
The second half of this decade will be a testing ground for robotaxis, and how companies and regulators address the challenges will determine whether the next cab ride will be driverless or still have a human behind the wheel.
