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Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

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Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#91
I now see their development vehicles all over the valley, whereas previously if I was near the Strip that's the only region I would see them in.

This valley has congestion issues pretty much all day everywhere, plus a traffic light management protocol that results in very long light cycles.

Many of us when coming to a red light where there are multiple lanes and traffic is light, will make a point to not stop in the right lane when there is no right turn only lane. This is so people who are making a right turn can make a right on red instead of waiting for a green.

Zoox does not do this.

Sometimes there is not quite enough space between vehicles to get into a lane while cars are stopped at a light, such as getting into a left turn lane. Often, some light taps on the horn (or even just sitting with the turn signal) will result in drivers pushing up tight to let you into the left turn lane.

Zoox does not do this.

Zoox will change lanes many times for no apparent reason, making drivers think it is turning right or left at the next intersection, but it does not turn.

As best I can tell, Zoox has issues with pedestrians. I think that the operator (in the test vehicle) takes over when pedestrians are present, because so far I always see them operating the steering wheel when there are pedestrians.

As a driver, I don't like any of the automated drivers because I feel there is a thing that can do serious damage and nobody is accountable. These are all owned by corporations whose sole accountability will be financial, nothing more, while drivers are held to both financial a punitive accountability.

Further, these are all mega-conglomerates for whom there is no real regard for the destruction their property causes. They are politically connected, so will never lose their operating license. The are funded by the largest investors mankind has ever known. Nobody in these organizations has any respect for morals or ethics, instead fostering a system that promotes psychopaths.

I don't want them here. I haven't spoken to anyone who lives here that wants them here.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#92
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps maybe we add common places where it regularly stops and you can get on/off?

An automated van that has roughly regular routes but goes slightly out of its way to pick up/drop off people would be a good middle ground between taxis and buses —- not unlike Jeepnys in the Philippines.

No, it is a terrible middle ground. They work only for people who are okay with being late to a meeting once in a while, or people who are okay with arriving far too early and then waiting once they get there. People who value their time want something predictable so they can arrange their time around things they understand.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#93

What's interesting is that about 80% Tesla's entire valuation is FSD and Optimus, and the underlying assumption with FSD is that it'll magically turn on for all Tesla's in a day and they'll have a monopoly and extract all the profit needed for that valuation. Apart from any comparisons with Waymo, I suspect self-driving will broadly follow other AI tech, where we'll see a proliferation of competitive self-driving tec…

I think self-driving targets a problem that doesn't really exist. The issue isn't that the act of driving is a laborious task, it's simply the amount of time spent in a car, which FSD doesn't address.

Too much time spent inside may be a problem, but FSD turns car cabins into rooms. If we're inside already, a room with a destination is often better than a stationary one.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#94

What's interesting is that about 80% Tesla's entire valuation is FSD and Optimus, and the underlying assumption with FSD is that it'll magically turn on for all Tesla's in a day and they'll have a monopoly and extract all the profit needed for that valuation. Apart from any comparisons with Waymo, I suspect self-driving will broadly follow other AI tech, where we'll see a proliferation of competitive self-driving tec…

I think self-driving targets a problem that doesn't really exist. The issue isn't that the act of driving is a laborious task, it's simply the amount of time spent in a car, which FSD doesn't address.

FSD should address safety - humans are bad drivers even when they are sober and not overtired.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you misinterpreted, OP meant that robots will respect the rules, which humans typically don't, e.g. driving at 50 where the limit is 30.

in which case I apologise :) I've seen plenty of robotaxi huckers advocate for speed limits 'appropriate for robot response times'

I think maybe robotaxis should have speed limits appropriate for driving into trees and fire trucks.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#96
post #2

It’s a cute gimmick for tourists but it won’t contribute to public transportation.

The fact that there isn't a rail line from the airport to the strip is wild. It would simplify travel for tourists dramatically, and get a lot of hotel shuttles and taxis off the street. There's a reason why even cities with bad public transit usually have a line to the airport, and it's wild that Las Vegas doesn't have one.

> and get a lot of hotel shuttles and taxis off the street.

No it wouldn't. Those hotel shuttles and taxies are ideal for anyone with luggage as you don't have to carry your own heavy bags with you. The train doesn't want those people slowing things down for everyone as they get all their bags on/off the train.

Airport lines are a good idea because many thousands of people work at airports and thus don't have luggage. They are also useful for travelers taking a short trip and thus don't have much packaged. However Vegas as a vacation destination is expected to have a lot of people with luggage and less people who are light travelers.

Once tourists drop their bags in their room they should be using transit for every trip until it is finally time to return to the airport.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#97
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The way these are pushed as "solutions to cities and traffic" make making fun of the too easy. > But it misses the social context Funny how their entire social context is "never encounter another human as you go from A to B"

> way these are pushed as "solutions to cities and traffic" make making fun of the too easy It's funny. It's also dumb. An observation can be both at the same time--it's a cornerstone of humor. What it isn't is fundamentally true or revealing. > their entire social context is "never encounter another human as you go from A to B" Nope. It's recognising that humans have diverse and varying needs for interaction and pri…

> What it isn't is fundamentally true or revealing.

Well, they are not a solution to transport problems, or to traffic jams.

Yes, they can be complementary to other types of transportation. Yes, companies will enshittify them beyond measure if/when they reach a certain proportion of cars.

> It's recognising that humans have diverse and varying needs for interaction and privacy.

No. I don't think this was even uttered by any of these companies.

Waymo claims to be committed to safety: https://waymo.com/about/

Tesla: stress and safety https://www.tesla.com/fsd

Zoox: purpose-built taxi shaping the future of transportation https://zoox.com/about

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#98
post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The reductive "you just invented $existing_thing" framing is so tiresome. There are so very many opportunities for a better surface transport system than buses. Dynamic routing and scheduling, capacity somewhere between a city bus and a taxi, and potentially better economies of scale all make this far more appealing than what exists today. Also – and I know acknowledging this will not go over well in some circles – r…

> There are so very many opportunities for a better surface transport system than buses. Dynamic routing and scheduling, capacity somewhere between a city bus and a taxi, and potentially better economies of scale all make this far more appealing than what exists today. Anyone who knows something about transit already knows this is false. the idea has been tried and failed for hundreds of years. What people want is pr…

The Uber Pool, now UberX Share thing was quite good.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#99

This being Vegas, they should make it possible to bet that you'll - get lost - be late - collide with a moving car - collide with stationary object - run over a pedestrian (bonus for multiple!)

They could install a roulette wheel or slot machine in the cab to be in keeping with Vegas.

Re: Zoox robotaxi launches in Las Vegas

#100
post #88

the solution for self-driving cars is obviously for everyone to move to a gridded city in the desert

If you're trying to imply Vegas is and easy place to drive.. Well I suggest trying it. It's a nightmare of 6-8 lane mega streets , multi tier traffic junctions, and high seed limits with poor signage and markings.

Plus drivers in vehicles that are total beaters with no tags, no insurance, and don't give a darn about anything and will sideswipe your car without flinching.

Insurance IIRC is 3 highest in the nation. I'm paying $3000 per year with max limits full coverage and this is lower than most people I talk to.

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