Autonomous Cars

If that sounds absurd, scroll down to see the illustration included in the automaker’s patent application (as noticed by Autoguide). The filing describes a system to protect autonomous vehicles from “adversarial behavior” from “vulnerable road users” like pedestrians. Sure, there have been a handful of incidents of people attacking and vandalizing driverless cars. But a 5,000-pound car has certain inherent advantages when facing off against a 150-lb person, regardless of the technology onboard.

A new job listing noticed by Electrek says the team will provide “remote access to our robotaxis and humanoid robots.” The job calls for a “C++ Software Engineer” who has experience with Python, 3D graphics, and Unreal engine; it offers a salary between $120,000-$318,000.

It was already confirmed that the Tesla Optimus bots at the Cybercab event in October had human remote operators.

That new figure, shared today during Google’s Q3 earnings, comes soon after the robotaxi hit the 100,000 paid trips per week marker in August.

Can self-driving shuttles give people a reason to ride the bus or a train? Waymo says it will test the idea with a credit for riders who connect “to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.”

Starting today, Waymo One riders that connect to select transit stations in San Francisco and the Peninsula will receive a $3.00 credit on their Waymo account for use on future rides. Credits will be applied to riders’ Waymo accounts when they take Waymo One to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.

Remember that nightly parade of honking robotaxis captured by Sophia Tung? The resolution is even more nerdy that you could hope.

Interestingly, the UX seems to prioritize video streaming over any kind of trip visualization. Tesla seems to think people would rather watch movies than be assured their driverless car can see other cars and pedestrians. (They’re probably right, too.)

Check out our video highlighting the most important parts.

Why didn’t Tesla call it the Cybervan?

Lots to parse. A few surprises. But as we’ve said before, the robotaxis are operating in a highly controlled setting and none of this is guaranteed to launch when Musk predicts it will. So stay tuned.

They’re doing the robot. What else?

The bots will be mingling with guests at the event, Musk says, who implores his guests to “be nice” to the robots.

Elon is putting the emphasis on the “bo” in robovan, so I wasn’t quite sure what he was saying at first. But yeah, it’s obviously not a conventional looking van.

The robotaxi will charge wirelessly through an inductive charger, Musk says. Tesla has long teased wireless charging for its EVs.

This is becoming a running theme with Musk: the idea that the unused compute power of millions of idle Tesla vehicles could be used like Amazon’s cloud service business. Of course, it’s not that easy.

Elon says he plans on starting fully autonomous Model 3 and Model Y trips in Texas and California “next year.” Cybercab won’t go into production until “2026... before 2027.”

Cheers as Musk says the cost will be “below $30,000.” Take that with a huge grain of salt.

Elon selling autonomous cars as a time saver, which is a very familiar argument for anyone who has been paying attention to the AV industry.

Elon gets in. It’s driving him through the film lot. There are 20 of them on the lot, and another 30 driverless Model Ys.

Don’t do Hayao Miyazaki like this.

That’s what my wife just asked me about this event, which was supposed to begin FIFTY ONE MINUTES AGO.

(The answer is no, it hasn’t.)

Elon is tweeting about Howard Stern and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Meanwhile, we’re 45 minutes past the start time.