<a href="https://autoglobalnews.com/musk-downplays-waymo-s-self-driving-capabilities-predicts-tesla-will-dominate/” style=”color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;” title=”Musk Downplays Waymo’s Self-Driving Capabilities, Pred”>Tesla’s share price hit a record this month due to investor optimism over the company’s potential in driverless taxis, but experts say Tesla is far behind rival Waymo.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla has deployed around 30 Robotaxis since June, while Waymo operates more than 2,500 vehicles across five cities.
- Waymos offer paying rides without human monitors in Austin, whereas all Tesla robotaxi passengers have a person monitoring the car.
- Tesla’s ambitious goals from past years haven’t been met as investors wait to see if the company can catch up with Waymo’s lead.
Despite hitting new highs on Wall Street this month, Tesla is lagging behind in actual deployment of its autonomous vehicles. The carmaker has deployed about 30 robotaxis since June in Austin, Texas, while rival Waymo operates more than 2,500 vehicles across five cities.
Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk predicted that the company would have one million Robotaxis on roads by mid-2020. However, experts say these goals haven’t been met yet as Tesla’s robotaxi service still requires human monitors for passenger safety.
Waymo began its commercial taxi service in Phoenix in 2018 and has since expanded to Austin and other cities. The company’s head start over Tesla is evident from the number of vehicles on roads today, with Waymos being seen frequently around Austin compared to rarely spotted Teslas.
Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions have been a point of interest for investors who are now questioning if these promises will materialize as expected. The company must catch up quickly or risk losing ground in the lucrative driverless taxi market worth trillions of dollars globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tesla Robotaxis are operating today?
About 30 robotaxis have been deployed since June in Austin, Texas.
When did Waymo start its commercial taxi service?
Waymo began offering paying rides with self-driving cars commercially in Phoenix in December 2018.
Tesla’s stock hit record highs on hopes of a dominant position in the driverless car market, but Wall Street will be watching closely to see if the company can bridge its gap with Waymo.
