New rivals May Mobility and Zoox take aim at Waymo's lead
Tesla and Waymo gunning for airport access, a US senator wants to ban driverless cars, and Uber, China’s Momenta to start testing robotaxis in Munich
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Top Stories of the Week
Lyft and May Mobility launch robotaxis in Atlanta (link). The two companies launched a small fleet of hybrid Toyota Siennas, equipped with May Mobility’s patented self-driving technology, on Lyft's platform this week, and riders can hail an AV by requesting a standard or Wait & Save ride within the service area. The autonomous vehicles will operate around the Midtown area, including Virginia Highlands, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park. The rides will also have a safety driver in them, to take over in case of emergencies.
Related: ICYMI, I discussed this launch and a lot more, in the latest episode of The Driverless Digest podcast with Ed Olson, Founder and CEO of May Mobility (link).1
Amazon’s Zoox jumps into U.S. robotaxi race with Las Vegas launch (link). Riders can now book free robotaxi rides through the Zoox app in some areas of Las Vegas, with paid rides coming after they receive the necessary regulatory approval. They can choose from several destinations on and around the Strip, including Resorts World, AREA15, Topgolf, and additional resort and entertainment properties, with more to be added in the coming months.
Zoox CEO Aicha Evans on the Las Vegas launch (link):
Frankly, I under-called the demand, so I think I need to get out of the demand forecasting business
Cool Rides
‘Two Uber cancellations. 5 minutes to spare. A suitcase. A robot car’ (link).
Waymo Swerves 270° in 1 Second After Car Backs Into Its Path (link). Nice save by the Waymo!
‘I tried the Zoox toaster car with REAL robotaxi engineers!’ (link) via
/Humans behaving badly
Shoplifting suspects in Scottsdale attempt to escape in Waymo (link). This seems like a bad idea..
Other Stuff
Tesla and Waymo are gunning for coveted airport access (link). You might be wondering why all of these companies are battling for airport rides:
According to Uber’s latest SEC filing, 15% of its mobility gross bookings came from trips that began or ended at an airport.
Airport rides are 2-3 times more lucrative than an average Uber ride
Airport rides happen at all hours of the day which could solve the low demand issue Waymo has faced from 10 pm - 6 am.
‘Why can’t we move even faster?’: San Jose’s mayor on lessons for SF from Waymo deal (link, no paywall). Cool to see at least one city embracing Waymo!
Uber, China’s Momenta to Start Testing Robotaxi Services in Munich (link, no paywall).
Ride The Wayve with CEO Alex and VP of AI Vijay (link).
Waymo, Zoox, Tesla — Apps Side by Side (link).
Roush Delivers First Driverless Kodiak Driver-Equipped Autonomous Truck (link). Kodiak has delivered eight Kodiak Driver-powered trucks to date, and this is the first off Roush’s dedicated line. These vehicles are already operating on private roads in the Permian Basin without a safety driver and it sounds like they will be followed by many more.
‘The inflection point has arrived’: Waymo’s vision for the future of mobility (link).
Sen. Josh Hawley wants to ban driverless cars — and says he'll introduce a bill on it 'soon' (link). Well that would be a terrible idea.
What else we're reading/listening to
Understanding AI by
: Tesla is (still) following in Waymo’s footsteps (link).Neat Jobs
Director, Business Development at Terawatt (link) via Peter Cohen.
Program Manager, New Markets and Strategic Initiatives at Moove (link) via Lin-Zhuang Khoo.
Senior Business Development Analyst at Motional (link) via Daphne Rubinfeld.
Shout-outs
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-Harry