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Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Chinese carmaker close to clearing big obstacle to autonomous driving
Autonomous driving is apparently the wave of the future, even if U.S. drivers do not really trust the technology. Assisted driving tech has been around for at least two decades, and Americans seem fine with that. But autonomous driving is in a different lane, and Americans are skeptical. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter "Consumers are skeptical of the full self-driving (FSD) technology that undergirds the robotaxi proposition, with 60% considering Tesla's full self-driving 'unsafe,' 77% unwilling to utilize full self-driving technology, and a substantial share (48%) believing full self-driving should be illegal," said the May 2025 edition of the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR). California, frequently at the forefront of many technological innovations, has become a hub for AV testing, but citizens there have demanded heavy guardrails. Nearly 80% of California voters support requiring a human safety operator in self-driving trucks and delivery vehicles, and just 33% of voters express a favorable general impression of autonomous vehicles. Related: Tesla faces its most serious court battle in years But there are levels to autonomous vehicles ranging from 0-5, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. Level 0 represents no automation, while Level 5 represents full automation with no human intervention at all. The assisted driving systems Americans have been using for 20 years represent Level 1, where the vehicle can assist with steering or acceleration/deceleration but not both at the same time. Level 2 vehicles can control both steering and velocity at the same time. Americans are also pretty familiar with this level. Tesla Full Self Driving is L2 autonomous. But Level 3 is where things get tricky, especially for legal reasons. One Chinese carmaker seems willing to invest in AV tech. Image source: Zhang Congyu/VCG via Getty Images Level 3 is where the true autonomous driving magic occurs. "The transition from SAE level 2+ to level 3 is a significant one. While many level 2+ systems have proven popular and, for the most part, effective, level 3 vehicles mean that, in some situations, eyes can be taken off the road," a new research report from IDTechEx says. The "eyes taken off the road" part is crucial because at that point, the driver is officially no longer in control of the vehicle; the vehicle's software is. So if an accident happens while the "driver" of an L3 or above vehicle is operating, who really is at fault? "Generally, this would result in the accountability of any accident occurring while level 3 is operational falling onto the manufacturer, not the driver. As a result, the overall reliability, defined by both the hardware and software, has to be much greater," the report states. Tesla has been sued multiple times over fatal mistakes that drivers say FSD has made. Each time, Tesla has argued it was the driver's fault. Related: Unprecedented BYD assisted driving offer puts competition on notice If Tesla ever wants to reach L3 autonomous driving, that excuse won't fly anymore. Chinese rival BYD seems more than ready to take on the responsibility. Earlier this month, BYD debuted a smart parking feature that allows the vehicle to achieve Level 4 autonomy. Level 4 autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, is the second highest available level of autonomy. In layman's terms, BYD vehicles equipped with the highest assisted driving packages will be able to park themselves. But most interestingly, regarding the latest upgrade, BYD promises to pay for any accidents caused by autonomous parking. Rather than going through their insurance companies, BYD drivers using the tech can file a claim with BYD's after-sales team if something goes wrong. Earlier in July, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida heard opening arguments in a lawsuit filed against Tesla by the family of Naibel Benavides, who was killed in 2019 by a runaway Tesla that had FSD engaged. The vehicle, driven by George Brian McGee, sped through a T intersection at 62 miles per hour and T-boned an empty parked car. The parked car's owners were standing outside the vehicle when they were struck. Benavides, 22, was killed in the crash, and her body was found flung about 75 feet from the crash site. Dillon Angulo, her boyfriend, survived the crash but was left with a severe concussion and multiple broken bones. Like other cases involving FSD in the past, Tesla blames the crash on driver error. "The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Tesla's Autopilot technology,'' Tesla said in a statement to Bloomberg. L3+ driving would allow the person who crashed, who reportedly dropped his cellphone and was searching for it on the ground when the crash occurred, to blame Tesla. But Tesla has not reached the level of automation that would make it responsible for a driver who took his eyes off the road. Related: Alphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest update The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Robotaxi riders raise red flags after experiencing concerning safety issues: 'The car didn't behave correctly'
Tesla launched its much-anticipated Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, last month, but early footage of the autonomous vehicle suggests it has a long way to go to catch up to a competitor, Waymo. Videos revealing operational glitches are also putting some residents on edge, prompting a new investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What's happening? Two days after Tesla's Robotaxi began offering rides on a limited basis in Austin, The Register was quick to compile and publish footage shared by influencers invited to try the service. While enthusiasm for the Robotaxi has been high among consumers and investors, it was dampened by a series of mishaps. YouTuber Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesla) saw his ride pull over in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on — not exactly a safe location for a drop-off. "Should I actually get out?" Dirty Tesla asks the safety monitor in the front passenger seat. Traffic continues to flow while the Robotaxi is at a standstill, before a remote operator intervenes to resume the ride (the incident begins at around the 9:30 mark). YouTuber Farzad (@FarzadMediaINC) also had his Robotaxi stop at an unfortunate spot: the tail end of an intersection and partially in a crosswalk (roughly the 38-minute mark). The footage prompted a flurry of criticism from worried viewers, to which Farzad responded: "Fully agree with everyone that the car didn't behave correctly." Rob Mauer, who hosts the "Tesla Podcast," witnessed his Robotaxi abort a left turn and drive on the wrong side of the street for several moments before getting back on course. He posted footage of his journey (around the 7:20 mark) on the social platform X. Why is this important? Tesla experienced a record decline in global sales over the first two quarters of 2025, per CNN, while its stocks have been on a roller coaster. A successful Robotaxi launch was supposed to help turn the tide. Consumers across political lines report viewing the brand through a less favorable lens, per an Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report poll, with CEO Elon Musk's political activities and public feuds negatively impacting public perception and worrying investors. While this may sound dire for consumers interested in EVs, given that Tesla is one of the most recognizable EV brands worldwide, it isn't all bad news. That's because increased market competition is one of the factors impacting Tesla's EV delivery numbers. Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street? Definitely No way Depends on the brand Depends on the situation Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With consumers having more options to choose from, the upfront cost of EVs has dropped, making the vehicles — coveted for their lower maintenance and energy costs, along with their contribution to healthier air quality with zero tailpipe pollution — accessible to more people. What is being done about robotaxi mistakes? Safety data from Waymo reveals that autonomous EV services can boost public safety, with the Tesla competitor revealing a 93% crash reduction involving pedestrians compared to the average human driver, as aligned with NHTSA's Standing General Order reporting timelines. While Waymo isn't immune to complaints from riders and isn't perfect, as The Register noted, it has seen an 88% reduction in crashes with serious injuries or worse (compared to human drivers). Previously, Musk delayed the Robotaxi launch, stating on X that Tesla was "being super paranoid about safety." The early Robotaxi returns suggest the company has more to do to live up to those promises. Meanwhile, the NHTSA is investigating Tesla's Robotaxi after opening a separate inquiry into its Smart Summon software. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety," the organization said in a statement to The Register. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New data reveals concerning trend in Tesla's customer base: 'Very dangerous for the brand'
A new poll revealed that Tesla is faltering among people across the political aisle. Unfortunately for the brand, it's not the first time it has faced this kind of issue, with owners reporting embarrassment and disapproval of CEO Elon Musk's behavior. Semafor published data from the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report that demonstrated Tesla's brand perception has diminished among self-described Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. After Musk aligned himself with Republicans, some people thought Tesla's popularity among them would increase. However, the poll showed the opposite, with Republicans 11% less likely to buy a Tesla now, according to Semafor. The survey of 8,000 consumers suggested that Musk's foray into politics may have harmed the brand. "What he's done by wrapping Tesla into his political adventures, and, now, misadventures is very dangerous for the brand," Evan Roth Smith of Slingshot Strategies said, per Semafor. The shift in public opinion may not seem like a big deal, but it could have impacts across the industry. For example, Battery Technology reported that some executives believed Musk's political activities could have inspired Republicans to try EVs. However, that didn't pan out, as the EVIR data displayed. Battery Technology also suggested that people may be more concerned about buying a Tesla because they don't want to be associated with Musk or fear repercussions such as vandalism. Another potential issue is that Tesla's decline in public favor could create a gap in the EV market, as described by the Detroit Free Press. Considering Tesla became an industry leader and common household name, that's a significant hole for other brands to fill. Building trust in EVs takes time, which means consumers may not want to switch to another manufacturer. As a result, fewer people may be interested in EVs, which could lead to less production of these vehicles, as NPR reported. Additionally, fewer EVs on the road means that more cars powered by dirty energy sources are releasing pollutants into the air. Do you think Tesla can bounce back from its recent struggles? Yes It depends on Elon's actions I don't think it's struggling Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With all that said, the EV market can continue to gain customers' trust. For example, one of the biggest barriers to owning an EV is cost, whether you're interested in a Tesla or the Nissan Leaf. Making these cars more affordable will be especially crucial when the EV tax credit expires in September, as CNBC reported. It may also be beneficial if manufacturers make charging easier or the government expands public charging facilities. In the meantime, if you're ready to switch to a hybrid or EV, research manufacturers and models to find the right option for your needs. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla has late start in a crucial race for its future
Robotaxis are coming to a city street near you, whether you like it or not. According to recent surveys, the majority of Americans are not very fond of autonomous 4,000-pound vehicles ambling down their streets. "Consumers are skeptical of the full self-driving (FSD) technology that undergirds the robotaxi proposition, with 60% considering Tesla's full self-driving 'unsafe,' 77% unwilling to utilize full self-driving technology, and a substantial share (48%) believing full self-driving should be illegal," according to the May 2025 edition of the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR). Related: Tesla makes surprising admission about its robotaxi But not every robotaxi is operated by Tesla. Even though it's the most high-profile robotaxi operator, Tesla is actually late to the autonomous-driving party. There are companies, both in America and abroad, with millions of miles and thousands of hours under their belts. When Ford CEO Jim Farley recently said that U.S. tech companies passed on becoming carmakers, he was not technically correct. While they don't plan to enter the industry in a way that would be threatening to a company like Ford, Alphabet's (GOOGL) Waymo is the Silicon Valley giant's biggest bite at the apple. Waymo One users register over a quarter of a million paid weekly trips across Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, with plans to expand to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., in 2026. Waymo's current fleet features over 1,500 vehicles spread across its four current host cities, but by next year, it expects to more than double its fleet with more than 2,000 new additions. The company is relying on a new, 239,000-square-foot factory outside Phoenix in Mesa, Arizona, to integrate thousands of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles with Waymo's fully autonomous technology. The factory is a joint venture between Waymo and mobile tech company Magna International. Image source: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Amazon acquired the autonomous vehicle company Zoox in 2020. And for over a decade, Zoox has been building an autonomous vehicle designed to stand out from others on the road. There's a reason the rectangular glass-paneled Zoox robotaxi looks so weird. Besides the vehicles' lack of steering wheels, perhaps the most interesting Zoox feature is its two-engine design. Zoox calls its vehicles bidirectional, meaning there is no forward or reverse, because both directions are forward. The two motors at different ends of the car allow it to drive forward in two directions. Unlike Tesla (TSLA) , which has said it doesn't use the technology because it's too expensive, both Waymo and Zoox utilize light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to navigate traffic autonomously. Related: Elon Musk's robotaxi has a serious problem LiDAR uses lasers to measure distances and create highly detailed 3D models of its surroundings. Zoox uses this tech, along with cameras, radar, long-wave infrared sensors, and microphones, to map the traffic around it. Morgan Stanley says Zoox is still a couple of years behind Waymo, as Waymo is already in more than five cities, while Zoox is still in just two. But Morgan Stanley sees the company taking a similar route as its more established rival as production ramps up for the company. Currently, Zoox has only a few dozen purpose-built robotaxis on the road, and the Hayward facility produces only one vehicle per day. Still, the firm expects that number to increase exponentially as it expands to more cities. Zoox has over one million miles driven in company. Morgan Stanley expects Zoox to launch in Las Vegas and San Francisco by the end of the year. Tesla robotaxi launched in Austin, Texas, in late June, to much fanfare. Tesla has just 10 robotaxis on the street in Austin. It also has ambitions to expand to different locales, but its debut has gotten off to a rocky start. Multiple videos have appeared on social media showing the vehicles failing to achieve the basic road competence of a student driver. Tesla Robotaxi may not have the miles under its belt that its competition does, but it does have a scale advantage. Earlier this year, Tesla said that its FSD system has driven a cumulative total of 3.6 billion miles, nearly triple the 1.3 billion cumulative miles it reported a year ago. Related: Latest Waymo setback raises serious questions about its future The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla releases new details about its next big deal
Rumors have been swirling for weeks as Tesla nears the launch of its next big idea - robotaxi - in Austin, Texas. The robotaxi hype hasn't reached the fever pitch of the Cybertruck, Tesla's last big idea, but if it gets this right, robotaxi has the chance to transform not just Tesla, but driving itself. Related: Tesla robotaxi launch hits major speed bump Tesla is admittedly slow-walking the rollout with CEO Elon Musk telling CNBC, "It's prudent for us to start with a small number, confirm that things are going well, and then scale it up." Tesla says it will have just 10 robotaxis on the street at launch. The company has already been testing its system, however. Earlier this year, Tesla said that its FSD system has driven a cumulative total of 3.6 billion miles, nearly triple the 1.3 billion cumulative miles it reported a year ago. But the public may not trust the autonomous vehicles yet. "Consumers are skeptical of the full self-driving (FSD) technology that undergirds the robotaxi proposition, with 60% considering Tesla's full self-driving 'unsafe,' 77% unwilling to utilize full self-driving technology, and a substantial share (48%) believing full self-driving should be illegal," the May 2025 edition of the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR) said. Self-driving Teslas have already been spotted on city streets with a human riding shotgun ahead of the program's official launch. And now Tesla is confirming that humans will be a fixture as it goes forward. Image source: vanTesla won't be leaving passengers in their Austin robotaxis alone, as the company plans to have a "safety monitor" sitting in the front seat during drives. Musk has claimed in the past that once the robotaxi program is up and running, Tesla owners would be able to earn passive income by allowing their Teslas to operate autonomously as taxis, without human intervention. However, the "safety monitor" isn't an abnormal safety feature for an autonomous vehicle. Waymo tested its vehicles for six months with a driver and for six months without one in Austin before it launched its commercial service earlier this year, according to Electrek. Related: Tesla takes drastic measures to keep robotaxi plans secret A safety monitor is just one of the robotaxis' safety requirements. Riders must agree to a TOS agreement, must have a debit or credit card on file, and can only request rides via the app between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. within the geofenced area where it's allowed to operate. That geofenced area limits where cars can travel and changes based on the time of day. Only invited users are allowed to download and use the Robotaxi app. While the Cybertruck has had a lot of hype, it has been a massive flop for Tesla. A backlog of reservations helped push Cybertruck out with a lot of momentum, but it can only be described as an epic failure regarding sales. Tesla sold just 7,100 Cybertrucks in the first three months of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal, nearly half of the 13,000 it sold in the fourth quarter of 2024. Tesla sold fewer than 40,000 Cybertrucks in 2024, making Elon Musk's far-fetched prediction of over half a million annual sales look farcical. Electrek reports that Tesla is sitting on $800 million of 10,000 Cybertrucks it can't sell. More on Tesla: Tesla claims rival startup is built on stolen trade secrets10,000 people join crazy Tesla class action lawsuitTesla execs question Elon Musk over controversial X post Mix that with the dismal quarter Tesla just reported, and Musk has a lot of work to do. It reported its worst quarter in years, with auto sales revenue dropping 20% amid falling demand in the U.S., Europe, and China. In the first quarter, deliveries fell 13% year over year to 36,681 vehicles from 386,810. Musk has been promising the robotaxi since at least 2016. Now that it is finally ready to debut, the company needs Musk's latest big swing to be a home run. Related: Tesla's robotaxi rollout is alarming the public, new report shows The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
