The world has gotten a glimpse of the first-ever 100% Robotaxi, and it’s not coming from where you’d expect. Tesla and BYD have established themselves as the world’s leaders in the autonomous vehicle sector. The new generation of cars is capable of different levels of autonomous driving, depending on technology and regulations. However, the world is yet to see a fully autonomous vehicle on the roads. That’s about to change as a new partnership has been announced that propels the autonomous vehicle to the forefront of the public transportation sector.
How far has autonomous driving technology come?
Tesla was the first company to offer something similar to autonomous driving, with BYD and others making inroads in the technology as well. The regulatory bodies of the world have allocated different levels of autonomous driving, from L0 to L5, with L0 being a traditional car with no autonomous technology at all, to L5, a fully autonomous vehicle that requires no additional input from a human being.
The most prevalent level that can be found in modern-day cars being sold is L3. It basically means the car is able to perform simple tasks on its own, like cruise control and keeping the car between the white lines. Tesla has pioneered the technology and is the main contributor to the technology becoming a normal feature of their cars. The American government has pumped the brakes slightly and only allows L3 to be used in most states.
While the loosening of regulations in America is rare, the rest of the world has a different perspective on the autonomous driving features that the world’s car manufacturers are offering to consumers. A new development has been unveiled, and it propels the technology into the future and allows it to be used in more ways than ever before.
Where will the new Robotaxi be allowed to operate without a human assistant?
America has some form of a Robotaxi, but the different laws in different states has hindered the technology from becoming commonplace on the roads of the United States. However, other countries have considered their own approach to the autonomous driving technology and have announced the fully autonomous Robotaxi to begin operating on their roads.
One of those countries is the UAE. Abu Dhabi has a reputation for the extravagant and unique services that can be found in the country’s major economic hubs. They have now announced that a fully autonomous Robotaxi will begin offering rides to its residents. WeRide will begin operating its Robotaxi this year, and it has shaken the world with surprise. The use of technology in cars has led to some amazing innovations in the sector.
CFO and Head of International at WeRide, Jennifer Li, said:
“WeRide makes history as the first company to pilot fully driverless Robotaxis in the Middle East region, showcasing our autonomous leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.”
WeRide has also partnered with Uber to make use of their ride-hailing service, making the adoption of the technology even simpler.
Will the rest of the world follow the example set by the UAE?
The alternative fuel discussion has dominated the world’s attention as of late, but this new development is just as important. To remove the task of driving for individuals can only be a positive thing. Safety on the roads would likely increase, not to mention the reduction in carbon gases, as most people will simply choose not to use their own vehicles. Instead, they might just consider using a fully autonomous Robotaxi like the ones that will begin operating in one of the richest countries on the planet. How much will a ride in a Robotaxi cost, we wonder?
