The automotive sector is in a crucial phase of technological innovation, largely driven by the adoption of electric and autonomous vehicles. Elon Musk, through Tesla, has led this change, standing out with advanced software and massive data collection—elements he expects to be the basis for his robotaxi technology. Despite presenting models like the Cybercab and Robovan, Tesla’s event led to a stock drop, reflecting skeptical investor reactions. Meanwhile, competition in the robotaxi sector is growing with companies like Waymo and Cruise in the U.S. and Apollo Go in China.
The development and deployment of robotaxi services face significant financial and regulatory challenges. Waymo, for instance, has invested billions in building its fleet of 700 vehicles but is still limited by infrastructure and high costs, such as those for each vehicle equipped with advanced sensors. Autonomous services present cost-saving opportunities by eliminating driver costs, though the technology still requires remote supervisors and costly maintenance systems.
Tesla is betting on a camera-only system, which could make it more economical and adaptable. However, convincing regulators of this less transparent autonomous technology’s safety is a challenge, especially after recent incidents affecting public trust. Although cities and transport companies like Uber are interested in integrating these services, there are no guarantees the model will be profitable in the short term, and large-scale implementation faces financial and infrastructure constraints.
Finally, robotaxi ownership raises questions about the business model. Although Uber has begun partnerships with Waymo and Cruise, a central operator for these autonomous fleets is still not in sight. Investors predict that significant revenue in the robotaxi sector could take time to arrive due to high costs and the need for regulatory approval.
Fuente: economist
Comments