Robotaxi

A robotaxi, also known as robo-taxi, self-driving taxi or driverless taxi, is an autonomous car (SAE automation level 4 or 5) operated for a ridesharing company.

Some studies have hypothesized that robotaxis operated in an autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD) service could be one of the most rapidly adopted applications of autonomous cars at scale and a major mobility solution in the near future, especially in urban areas. Moreover, they could have a very positive impact on road safety, traffic congestion and parking. Robotaxis could also reduce pollution and consumption of energy, since these services will most probably use electric cars and for most of the rides, less vehicle size and range is necessary compared to individually owned vehicles. The expectable reduction of the number of vehicles means less embodied energy, however energy consumption for redistribution of empty vehicles must be taken into account. Robotaxis would reduce operating costs by eliminating the need for a human driver, which might make it an affordable form of transportation and increase the popularity of transportation-as-a-service (TaaS) as opposed to individual car ownership. However, such developments could lead to job destruction and new challenges concerning operator liabilities. In addition, robotaxis have broken down and blocked roads. They have also failed to yield for emergency vehicles. According to San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, there have been 50 documented incidents of interference with first responders in the Bay Area by robotaxis.

Predictions of the widespread and rapid introduction of robo-taxis – by as early as 2018 – have not been realized. There are a number of pilot trials underway in cities around the world, some of which are in revenue service and open to the public. However, questions have been raised as to whether the progress of self-driving technology has stalled and whether issues of social acceptance, cybersecurity and cost have been addressed.