Europe’s First Robotaxi Launches on Uber as NYC Stalls Waymo

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Uber and VW validating the ID. Buzz in Los Angeles as they prepare for commercial service, Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service, and Waymo’s New York City dilemma.

With Uber and VW’s MOIA conducting on-road validation testing for the ID. Buzz in Los Angeles, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion around what a launch means. Is it considered a launch if there are safety drivers?

As Uber launches new robotaxi markets with safety drivers, Waymo continues to open new markets without them. This week Waymo brought Nashville online with fully autonomous commercial service across a 60-square-mile area.

Waymo’s launch partner in Nashville is Lyft, but a post on X from Lyft CEO David Risher hinted that Lyft’s Flexdrive depot is not yet fully operational, leading Grayson and Walt to debate whether this deal came together faster than either side anticipated.

Then there is New York, a city that appears to not want autonomous vehicles. The New York City Department of Transportation did not renew Waymo’s testing permit, which expired on March 31st. Which means Waymo can no longer test in autonomous mode, but they can drive the city and gather data, acting as a mobile billboard to build local buzz and political pressure.

Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discuss Tesla FSD 14.3.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Sidewalk Robots in Philadelphia Go Overboard
• 01:33 Uber and MOIA Begin On-Road Validation Testing
• 08:35 Uber/Verne/Pony AI Launch First Europe Robotaxi Service
• 14:46 Waymo Open Nashville Market with Lyft
• 22:20 New York Says, No Autonomy For You!
• 30:47 Walt’s Take on Tesla FSD 14.3
• 38:34 PlusAI’s Revenue Projections
• 40:29 Next Week