alt Hacker NewsWE do have self driving cars with Waymo data showing it is clearly better than human drivers in certain markets like Phoenix. It is human regulations, laws and the general societal unease that is preventing a total rapid change. In fact a Robotaxis only urban area which is continuously mapped might be feasible today and probably could even reduce the no of cars needed for the population making it accessible to many more.
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AI has the same problem. It’s not that it doesn’t work, but that folks just aren’t all that interested in adopting it at scale. Tech makes this “build it and they will come” error a lot. The tech is quite good, but it’s all the non tech aspects of this that are why it’s not getting impact at scale.
Ever driven in Bali?
No, it’s actually the same issue with AI in a lot of cases. In perfect conditions it can work reliably, but outside of that it falls apart in a way humans don’t.
No, it’s actually the same issue with AI in a lot of cases. In perfect conditions it can work reliably, but outside of that it falls apart.
> certain markets like Phoenix
So, basically the easiest robotaxi market on the planet? Call me when it works in Bucharest, Mumbai, Istanbul, Cairo, etc.
For software the last 80% of effort needed to finish the 20% remaining items is the hardest and hardware is even harder.
As a counterpoint, Waymo conducted a pilot in NYC then abandoned the permit for it:
https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/06/waymo-driverless-cars-tes...
Phoenix is probably about as good a location as you could get for a self driving car. It’s not yet clear how wide their success will be outside of that niche.