Robotaxis on the Horizon: Could Waymo's Self-Driving Cars Be Yours?

Looser AV regulations from NHTSA could help with that. Also, VW is ready for range-extended EV.

This decade will likely go down in history as the one where electric vehicles truly took off. Now, as automakers sow the seeds for self-driving cars, the next decade could be the era of the robotaxi. And no, they probably won’t be limited to fleets and ride-hailing services. Personal self-driving cars are very much on the table. Tesla says they’re coming. Alphabet, Waymo’s parent company, is also suggesting as much.

Welcome to the Friday edition of Critical Materials , your daily round-up of news and events shaping the world of electric cars and technology. Also on the radar today: Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have scored a win as the Trump administration announced looser regulations for autonomous vehicles. And Volkswagen jumps on the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) bandwagon after showcasing the ID. Era at Auto Shanghai. It plans to develop its own EREV powertrain for Europe.

30%: Waymo AVs As Personal Vehicles?

Waymo has come a long way. It started as a small autonomous vehicle (AV) project under Google in 2009. In 2017, it first started testing a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica minivans in Phoenix, Arizona, before launching a commercial service for the public the following year.

In 2021, it extended its reach to San Francisco using Jaguar I-Pace electric crossovers equipped with radar systems, Lidar technology, and cameras. Currently, these vehicles can be found in Los Angeles and Austin;Atlanta and Washington D.C. will join shortly. Despite facing various challenges such as regulatory obstacles, safety inquiries, and incidents, Alphabet kept funding Waymo to sustain their competitive edge. The vehicle count continues to rise rapidly—Waymo currently operates around 700 autonomous taxis across the country, including 300 solely within San Francisco.

Alphabet might boost its sales even more, particularly if equipped with advanced self-driving technology. During Thursday’s earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai mentioned that the company is contemplating making Waymo autonomous cars available for individual use.

Here’s more from Reuters :

During a post-earnings conference call, Pichai didn’t offer a timetable or specifics about how they intend to market Waymo cars, simply stating that “future possibilities include options for individual ownership.”

David Heger, an analyst at Edward Jones, suggested that Waymo might provide individual ownership of its autonomous taxis via a collaboration approach. He stated, “Google does not manufacture cars itself; I doubt they would attempt entering such a business.”

Pichai’s remarks came as a reply to an analyst querying about Waymo’s prospects. “I think this might be the inaugural time I’ve been asked about Waymo during these financial discussions,” Pichai quipped. “That shows how far we’ve come.”

For many years, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has assured everyone that individual Tesla cars will soon be capable of driving themselves autonomously. Vehicle owners would have the opportunity to transform their rides into robotic taxis—a fusion akin to combining an Airbnb service with Uber. During times when these cars aren't needed personally, owners could generate income through this distinctive approach, allowing Tesla to receive a percentage of those profits.

It's not anywhere near reality—the launch of Tesla’s robotaxi ride-hailing service hasn't started yet. For many years, Musk has made assurances about technologies that still do not exist. He gains backing solely through his promises, along with government attention and investor excitement. These commitments frequently end up being realized but only after experiencing significant delays lasting several years.

Will Waymo achieve its dream of making self-driving taxis accessible to everyone? Currently, details about the extent and size of their fleet remain uncertain. In fact, during Tesla’s recent earnings call on Tuesday, Elon Musk humorously remarked that Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, equipped with costly advanced technology like LiDAR, are far more expensive compared to Tesla’s cost-effective strategy which relies solely on cameras and AI. We will just have to patiently await further developments.

60%: NHTSA Eases Restrictions on Autonomous Vehicle Rules

Photo by: InsideEVs

No matter what strategy autonomous vehicle firms adopt, their rollout pace hinges on regulatory permissions and endorsement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Given that this body was tightly controlled by the Trump administration, Musk might find cause for celebration.

The updated regulations from NHTSA will permit certain autonomous vehicles to be operational on American roadways even without meeting all federal safety requirements—for instance, not having a rearview mirror—as stated. Reuters Reporting of minor crash incidents will now occur on a monthly basis, and certain autonomous vehicles may be waived from adhering to specific safety regulations.

Here’s more from the Reuters report:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the updated guidelines for enhancing self-driving cars would assist American car manufacturers in competing against their Chinese counterparts.

Duffy emphasized that this administration recognizes we're in a competition with China to innovate more effectively, stating that the implications of falling behind are immense," he stated. "Our updated strategy aims to reduce bureaucratic obstacles significantly.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety expressed disappointment that the U.S. Department of Transportation decided to weaken rather than strengthen the reporting obligations.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents almost all leading car manufacturers as an industry association, commended the USDOT.

The sector has been constrained due to governmental lack of action... This statement indicates that the administration is moving forward with haste, ensuring that we do not lose our lead in autonomous vehicle technology to China and other nations, as mentioned in the report.

Electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle initiatives elicit varied responses within the U.S., with support varying based on individual perspectives and interests involved. Nonetheless, it is accurate to say that the country faces challenges in winning the autonomous vehicle competition against China because of bureaucratic hurdles and regulations.

However, the attitude towards autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems became significantly muted at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show. An incident involving a Xiaomi SU7 operating with its ADAS system active resulted in a deadly accident, claiming the lives of three young women in China during late March.

It will now be important to monitor how autonomous vehicle firms navigate the trade-off between public safety and technological progress moving forward.

90%: Volkswagen Joins the EREV Craze

Photo by: Volkswagen

Volkswagen smoked Tesla to become Europe’s best-selling EV maker in the first quarter of this year. While the comeback is good news for the brand whose profits are tanking and EV sales struggling to take off, VW’s real competition is in China, where local players have eaten into its market share.

EREVs are already a growing segment in China and the automaker is now eyeing that segment. It showcased the ID. ERA concept at Auto Shanghai, an extended range EV VW developed with its group partner SAIC. A production version of that is expected to be VW’s first EREV model in China.

VW claims an EV-only range of 186 miles on the ID. ERA, plus an additional 435 miles with the gas generator. EREVs use combustion engines as generators to charge the high-voltage battery. But the engine is not connected to the wheels, only the electric motors are.

In essence, EREVs provide the ideal combination of gas and electric advantages.

100%: Would You Purchase a Private Robotaxi?

The Waymo vehicles come at a high price, possibly reaching into the six-figure range. However, it’s important to recognize that The cost of LiDAR technology is decreasing. At some point down the line, these could become democratized.

If these vehicles get more affordable, meet safety standards, and receive regulatory approval, would you be inclined to purchase one? What are your views on the advantages and disadvantages of using autonomous vehicles for personal use? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.

Got a tip? Reach out to the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com

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