EU is out of luck: Taxi without a driver isn’t coming soon enough to compete with Musk and the Chinese

 

"Germany's automotive industry is taking its time with autonomous driving. Although the federal government established a legal framework for it early on, the technology doesn't yet play a major role in everyday life, quite unlike in China, for example.

 

There, assistance systems are already spreading even in lower-priced model segments, allowing drivers to temporarily take their hands off the steering wheel, even in the hustle and bustle of metropolises like Shanghai.

 

That such high speeds come at the expense of safety is undisputed.

 

But nevertheless, it's only a matter of time before car buyers in Europe ask why comparable technology isn't available here.

 

In the robotaxis segment, the VW Group now wants to show that it can compete. After many delays, a development project in Hamburg has progressed so far that Europe's largest automaker is confident of producing a production version of its self-driving electric van. There are indeed opportunities in this business, especially in Europe. Cities and municipalities are more likely to rely on domestic providers of such technology for their local transport than on American or Chinese companies. Regulation plays a role, as does concern about data. The situation is different in the US market, where VW also wants to enter. Competitors like Waymo have long since overtaken the competition.

 

Tesla also is to putting robotaxis on the road.

 

The consequences for the widespread development of autonomous driving are limited. Fleet operators calculate very differently than private customers and are willing to pay high acquisition prices for robotaxis if they avoid the costs of their drivers. VW hopes that at least some of the work can also be incorporated into the development of assistance systems for private cars.

 

However, it will be many years before models like the Golf can drive their drivers fully autonomously.” [1]

 

After many years competitors will have the world auto market all for themselves. The EU goes back to horses and goats. Even Ukrainians will make fun of us.