Early Reactions to Driverless Taxis in the US
With driverless taxis being trialled in several US cities, we take a look at some first impressions and the ongoing challenges.
If you read our previous article on the future of autonomous driving and taxis, you’ll know the concept of driverless taxis isn’t new.
With the first official test runs now taking place in the US, it’s safe to say there have been mixed reactions. Some of which show the real challenges that remain before they become widely accepted and approved. Read on for all the latest.
Where have driverless taxis been introduced?
As technology develops, companies are racing to capitalise on driverless or autonomous taxis. In the US, these are namely Google-owned Waymo and General Motors’ Cruise.
Waymo’s driverless taxi fleet consists of Jaguar I-PACE cars, while Cruise uses a model called the Bolt, which isn’t available in the UK market.
Testing their product, Waymo launched a driverless taxi service in selected US cities. These included Phoenix, Arizona, and California’s Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Customers in these areas can order a taxi through an app, with some places even taking orders for takeaway deliveries.
What reaction have driverless taxis had?
As you would expect, the reaction towards driverless taxis has been incredibly varied. With such modern technology often comes scepticism and uncertainty, as people struggle to get on board.
Some drivers’ unions have criticised driverless taxis due to the threat they pose to their jobs. If driverless taxis were introduced as a replacement, this could result in the loss of hundreds upon thousands of jobs.
What’s more, while the goal of autonomous taxis is to increase safety and remove the risk of human error, they are not quite perfect yet either.
Early trials showed driverless taxis still make mistakes. These include getting confused in traffic situations or stopping in non-ideal places. This happens when the system needs to assess a situation before continuing, due to things like map errors or an obstructed sensor.
In Phoenix, 12 Waymo cars showed up at the same time causing a huge traffic jam, while the same happened to Cruise in San Franciso with 10.
These issues have increased frustration and mistrust among drivers and residents. Leading to some unfortunate incidents where driverless taxis have been attacked or vandalised.
The reaction hasn’t been all negative, however. Waymo’s product management director Chris Ludwick said they had received an ‘exceptional’ welcome in LA.
How do autonomous taxis work?
Driverless taxis work using a highly advanced system of radar, lidar, and cameras. These read and monitor conditions on the road from all angles, detecting obstructions, road signs, and different road users.
There are five levels of autonomous driving, and driverless taxis sit at the top. This is the level where driving is fully autonomous in all situations, with the system reacting to both humans and other robots.
With no driver at the wheel, driverless taxis rely on the latest technology to ensure they can work safely. That’s why they will need to be thoroughly tested in a range of different scenarios before they become widely introduced.
They will need to respond to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions and road works to keep any passengers inside safe.
Keep up to date at The Taxi Centre
If the thought of driverless taxis is an unwelcome one for you, not to worry. There is so much testing and regulation required that driverless taxis are still a long way off.
Until that time, taxi drivers will still be very much needed – and so will the perfect taxi for the job! Looking to upgrade your taxi or expand your fleet? At The Taxi Centre, you’ll find a wide range of new taxis to meet your needs.
Browse our latest deals, including top manufacturers like Toyota, Skoda, Volkswagen and many more. Whichever you choose, benefit from our budget-friendly finance options to help take care of the costs.
For a helping hand, contact our taxi specialists who can help you decide. Whether you’re looking for a standard, electric, hybrid, or wheelchair-accessible taxi. We’ll be happy to help you find it!