The program is starting out as a pilot wherein users who opt-in for an autonomous ride won’t be charged for the service. But ending up in a free robotaxi will take a little bit of luck, for now. Users in Las Vegas who select the UberX or Uber Comfort Electric options can be matched with an autonomous vehicle if one is near by. And, if there is a match, users will then have the option of confirming or rejecting the offer.
Another caveat: for now all of the autonomous vehicles will still come with a human operator. Though Uber expects to ditch the drivers sometime in next year. “Motional and Uber are launching with vehicle operators now to lay the groundwork for a fully driverless commercial service, with the goal of launching the driverless service to the public in 2023,” wrote the Uber spokesperson. And the transition from free to paid rides will happen at the same time, said Motional in an email to Gizmodo.
to expand the passenger service to Los Angeles as well—where Uber has already been piloting autonomous Uber Eats deliveries, according to a joint press release shared with Gizmodo. Though Uber and Motional plan for their robotaxis to be driverless in the upcoming year, there could be some Vegas-specific challenges to that goal. Previous autonomous vehicle programs in the city havesurrounding operating driverless vehicles on private property. One Gizmodo staff member recounted taking an Argo-run robotaxi in the city a couple of years ago, and a driver having to take control of the vehicle in order to close out the ride.
You don't have to try too hard with your headlines, but come on.
so a taxi
I'm still laughing at the people who said driverless cars would be 'common' by 2018.