A recent Forbes study casts doubt on the immediate future of autonomous vehicles, particularly Waymo robotaxis. The study revealed that Waymo’s rides are not only more expensive but also significantly slower than traditional ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
The study compared 50 rides across various routes in Los Angeles. Waymo’s rides were, on average, $9.50 more expensive than human-driven rides, even after accounting for a 20% tip. Moreover, Waymo’s average pickup time was twice as long, and the average trip time was a staggering 120% longer.
These findings challenge the industry’s hype surrounding autonomous vehicles. While the technology has potential, it’s clear that significant hurdles remain. Waymo’s reliance on extensive manual mapping limits its operational areas and its conservative driving style further impacts efficiency.
Although, this isn’t the most extensive study, and the jury’s still out on how much autonomous rides will improve in the future. But as it stands, unless you enjoy the sheer novelty of being driven around by a robot, it’s hard to make an argument for taking Waymo right now.
While safety is paramount, the current state of autonomous vehicle technology suggests that it’s not yet ready to replace human-driven transportation, especially for cost-conscious and time-sensitive consumers.
Reference- Forbes study, The Verge, Inside EVs, Interesting Engineering, Waymo website