• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Features list
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsor an article
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Subscribe to Newsletter

Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Editorial Sections A-Z
    • Agriculture
    • Aircraft
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Automation
    • Autonomous Vehicles
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Construction
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Drones
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial robots
    • Industry
    • Infrastructure
    • Investments
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Marine
    • Material handling
    • Materials
    • Mining
    • Promoted
    • Research
    • Robotics
    • Science
    • Sensors
    • Service robots
    • Software
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Warehouse robots
    • Wearables
  • Press releases
  • Events

Robotaxis: The revolutionary mobility choice of the future

September 7, 2023 by David Edwards

Every 24 seconds, one person dies in a road accident, according to United Nations (un.org) in its road safety fact sheet published in 2021. It is also stated that more than 90 per cent of car accidents occur due to human errors.

Transportation accounted for 37 per cent of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors in 2021, as per International Energy Agency.

The above figures talk aloud about the two biggest challenges the transportation industry is facing today:

  1. passenger safety; and
  2. emissions.

Countries world over are putting efforts in terms of changes in policies, subsidies, incentives, and what not, to put a brake on these two issues which see no signs of abatement in the short time period.

However, the need is immediate to save mankind from their dangerous consequences which have begun to appear expeditiously.

How things can be brought to track? In layman’s parlance, there are three ways things can be brought back on track:

  • Reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Reducing human dependency.
  • Improving fuel efficiency

Robotaxi: An emerging candidate to mitigate challenges

In order to break free of these challenges, the automotive industry is exploring several ways which include lightweighting, improving engine performance and aerodynamics, advancing in alternative-fuel technologies, introducing active safety systems, and making impressive advancements in autonomous vehicle technology.

One such emerging area the industry is exploring is robotic or autonomous taxis, or “robotaxis”. As the word explains itself, robotaxis are self-driven or driverless taxis.

These taxis come in the form of a car or spacious van/shuttle and can be used for transporting goods and passengers. They offer the utmost convenience to humans without their intervention.

When we hear “autonomous” or “self-driven vehicles”, we start imagining cars running out publicly without any human rider. That holds true for most of us, but this is not exactly how the automotive industry defines an autonomous vehicle.

There are certain levels of automation set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) ranging from 0 (fully manual) to 5 (completely driverless).

Level 0 is completely manual, whereas level1 and 2 refer to manual vehicles with driver assistance features to some extent, such as steering support, break/acceleration support to the driver, and so on.

Level 3 offers autonomous driving support only when the integrated sensors detect the driver’s inattentiveness (or eyes-off in any situation) and alert the driver.

Robotaxis fall under level 4 (L4) and level 5 (L5) where there are no human drivers. However, a human still has the option to manually override the L4 vehicle giving commands, and it can be self-driven. L4 vehicles may have limitations in certain areas/weather conditions and so on.

These vehicles have a limitation on the operational design domain (ODD) and will require human intervention if they encounter any situation outside its ODD.

On the contrary, L5 robotaxis are designed to operate without human intervention in all scenarios, under any conditions, with no set limitations on the ODD.

Passengers cannot take control of the vehicle at any point. However, L5 leverages advanced technologies, and undergoes extensive tests and regulatory approvals to serve the same.

To replace human drivers and make logical decisions on the ground similar to humans, robotaxis rely on various types of sensors, cameras, and other components.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging solutions), RADAR, Trifocal Cameras, and other sensors are vital for deploying a reliable robotaxi. Robotaxis are rapidly advancing with the emergence of 4D technology within their components.

Robotaxis check all the boxes

The advent of robotaxis will redefine the way we travel since they offer multifold benefits just like any autonomous vehicle.

Reducing accidents and traffic congestion

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to mitigate up to 90% of traffic fatalities by eliminating accidents caused by human errors, claims the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Robotaxis offer shared transportation services which results in fewer cars on the road, and reduces congestion, thus contributing to a greener environment.

Cost saving

Robotaxis have the potential of reducing cost per mile as it doesn’t require any driver to provide one extra seat to another passenger. “Fully driverless vehicles help us expand our operation and reduce cost per mile” stated Baidu, an autonomous vehicles manufacturing leader in its 2022 Q4 earnings record.

Reduction in Emission

Though robotaxis can be hybrid, solar-powered, gasoline-powered, hydrogen-powered, or electric, major developments are happening around electric robotaxis. A widescale adoption of e-robotaxis will lead to a significant emission reduction.

Current Status of Robotaxis

At present, the deployment of robotaxis is very limited and is in testing phase mostly with numbers in a few hundred only. However, several companies including OEMs, ridesharing companies, and startups are raising interest and investing in this area.

Let us look at some exciting developments around robotaxis which invokes optimism about their future adoption.

Amazon started testing its Zoox robotaxi, in February 2023, on California’s roads, with employees on board. The group’s full-time employees will be able to use Zoox, which can carry four people a time and can drive at speeds of up to 35 miles/hour.

Two giants, Uber and Waymo (formerly known as the Google self-driving car project) partnered to bring Waymo’s robotaxi to Uber’s platform, in May 2023.

A set number of Waymo vehicles can be seen on the roads later this year (2023), and will include local deliveries, and ride-hailing trips, Waymo mentioned in its release.

Talking about Tesla’s Robotaxi system during the 2022 Shareholders Meeting, CEO Elon Musk said that the group is targeting 2024 for mass production of robotaxi fleet. Tesla robotaxis will not have a steering wheel or pedals, he added.

Hyundai partnered with Motional, a leading autonomous vehicles developer to bring Ioniq 5 Robotaxis (a SAE Level 4 vehicle) on the roads from 2023.

The group is set to launch its first ever electric robotaxi based on IONIQ 5 that is manufactured according to Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) standards.

Chinese giant – DiDi announced a partnership with GAC AION, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group, on May 2023, for the mass production of electric robotaxis named “AIDI”.

The group further adds that the design of its E-Robotaxis will be based on GAC AION’s latest high-end pure electric platform ‘AEP 3.0’ version.

The above list is not exhaustive. Other companies like Baidu, Local Motors, Mobileye (Intel), Drive.AI (Apple), Nissan, and Nvidia are also not left behind in this race.

As the robotaxi industry continues to expand, these companies are rapidly driving advancements in automation levels from being partially autonomous to fully autonomous.

How long is the route towards mass adoption?

Robotaxis are still in their infancy. The realization of robotaxis running on the roads in large numbers is considerably distant. However, the global population is growing rapidly, and with this, grows the demand for transportation solutions.

On the other hand, in order to reduce reliance on critical metals amidst green energy push, the World Economic Forum asks to implement some measures, including the reduction of private vehicles by eliminating ‘ownership’.

The ideal solution to serve these two purposes (growing transportation demand and reducing vehicle ownership) can be adopting robotaxis as soon as possible.

Since most of the world population has already adopted several advances in the active safety systems of their vehicles, adding yet another super-advanced technology doesn’t seem to be impossible.

Why delay? Though robotaxis are beneficial in multiple ways, but the road towards their widespread adoption has not been without some challenges.

To mention a few, the need for high-resolution mapping, the high cost of data processing and storage, regulatory and legal challenges, and public acceptance are the prominent ones.

However, apart from the industry investments being poured into this technology, there are also a few government programs that are encouraging.

China’s Ministry of Transport issued guidelines that encourage the use of autonomous cars in taxi services under certain conditions. Road traffic legislation in Finland has allowed autonomous vehicles to be tried and tested on public roads provided that the tester obtains a road traffic testing permit.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) also developed the automated vehicles comprehensive plan to advance the department’s work to prioritize safety.

With only a few robotaxis on the road, the market for robotaxis was just under a billion-dollar mark in 2022, globally. As technology evolves and autonomous driving becomes more reliable and commonplace, it is expected that the global market for robotaxis will grow significantly and cross $34.26 billion by 2029.

The future of transportation is exciting. The way we commute is set to transform and it’s apparent that robotaxis will play a significant role in it.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Related stories you might also like…

Filed Under: Autonomous Vehicles, Features Tagged With: automation, autonomous, robotaxi, robotaxis, robotic, sae, taxi

Primary Sidebar

Search this website

Latest articles

  • How Smart Bending and Cutting Systems Are Powering the Next Wave of Industrial Robotics
  • Custom chips are taking over: Why AI, autonomy, and communications can’t rely on general-purpose silicon anymore
  • Mujin establishes global executive team to accelerate expansion of MujinOS
  • Choosing the best truckload logistics provider for your business: What to look for
  • Zimmer Biomet acquires robotic surgery company Monogram Technologies for $177 million
  • China achieves ‘97 percent mechanization rate in cotton farming’ through robotics
  • Sprint Robotics announces 2025 World Conference in Amsterdam to mark 10th anniversary
  • Toyota Research Institute unveils breakthrough in Large Behavior Models that requires ‘80 percent less data’
  • CynLr brings object intelligence and vision of universal factories to UN summit on AI
  • Nordic Dino robot helps airlines deal with insect season

Secondary Sidebar

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT