Brief Summary
Marques Brownlee explores the current state of autonomous driving technology by testing the Tesla Robo Taxi and Waymo services in Austin, Texas. He highlights the challenges of achieving full autonomy, the different approaches taken by Tesla and Waymo, and the importance of safety as these companies scale their technology. The video emphasises that while both services show promise, they are still in the early stages of development and require cautious expansion.
- Autonomous driving is a complex technological challenge with high stakes.
- Tesla and Waymo offer different approaches to self-driving cars.
- Safety and methodical scaling are crucial for the success of autonomous driving technology.
Introduction to Autonomous Driving
Autonomous driving is presented as an incredibly difficult technological problem due to the vast number of variables and potential scenarios. The consequences of failure are severe, potentially leading to serious danger or loss of life. Despite these challenges, companies like Waymo and Tesla are actively working to create driverless taxi services. The presenter, Marques Brownlee, having only seen videos and headlines about these services, travels to Austin, Texas, to test them firsthand.
First Ride: Tesla Robo Taxi
Marques uses the Tesla Robo Taxi app to book his first ride. The experience begins with a dark grey Model Y arriving as expected. Inside, a safety monitor is present in the passenger seat, equipped with buttons to pull over or stop the car. The car confidently navigates the streets, handling scenarios well. Despite the presence of the safety monitor, the ride feels normal, similar to being a passenger with a quiet driver. Subsequent rides around Austin are generally impressive, with seamless pickups and drop-offs, although one instance involves the car driving past the pickup location.
First Ride: Waymo
Marques uses the Uber app to request a Waymo, specifying a comfort electric ride. The chances of getting a Waymo are about 20%. Upon entering the Waymo, he is greeted by a voice and informed about the autonomous nature of the ride and the purpose of the cameras. The Waymo confidently navigates the streets, handling a narrow road and parked cars effectively. The driving style is slightly more cautious than the Tesla. However, one ride involves the Waymo missing the destination and attempting a long detour, leading Marques to use the pullover button to end the ride early.
Comparing Waymo and Tesla Robo Taxi
Waymo uses Jaguar I-Pace vehicles heavily modified with sensors, including lidar, to build a real-time picture of the surroundings. The customer experience feels more refined, with thoughtful details like the placement of the unlock button in the app and a greeting voice upon entering the car. In contrast, the Tesla Robo Taxi is simply a Tesla Model Y with decals. While the Tesla offers a more modern feel and access to Tesla's software, it relies more on the safety monitor in the passenger seat. Tesla has begun testing in San Francisco with a driver in the driver's seat ready to take over, even with FSD enabled.
The Future of Driverless Cars
Autonomous driving technology is still in its early stages, with both Waymo and Tesla operating in limited areas and often with safety personnel present. Both services performed admirably in handling various driving situations during testing. However, there are numerous videos of both Tesla and Waymo vehicles making mistakes. Scaling up the technology safely is crucial, and both companies are taking precautions. The competition between the companies is positive, pushing them to improve, similar to the dynamic between iPhone and Android.
