Robo, Self-driving Taxis on the road, testing stage
The biggest competitive advantage of Robo Taxis is the elimination of the cost of a human driver
Tesla is testing self-driving cars for taxi service in Austin, Texas, during the last few months. Tesla's target for the operating cost of their robotaxi service is only 20 cents per mile. This compares to human driver taxis costing as much as $5 per mile here in Portland.
Here's a link to a video reviewing the advancement of self-driving Tesla robotaxis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDuq79mZBY
Tesla plans to ramp up production of their robotaxis this upcoming new year, 2026. Tesla, also, has plans to charge their all-electric robotaxis wirelessly.
There are reports that those riding in Tesla's robotaxis in the current testing phase are amazed and excited about Tesla's robotaxis.
I asked Google AI whether robotaxis have to be all-electric. Google AI says no but the trend favors all-electrics over gasoline-electric hybrids.
The elimination of having to pay a taxi driver to drive the taxi would make robotaxis a very disruptive thing for the taxi business and fleet sales by car companies like Ford.
Operating costs of only 20 cents of mile should help increase demand for taxi commuting versus conventional taxi service, as an operating cost of only 20 cents per mile is only about one fifth of the cost of human driven taxi commuting.
Advancements in self-driving vehicles could also really cause structural change in transit services, like TriMet. TriMet might be better off letting robotaxis serve the lower volume transit routes, helping TriMet save money (as if TriMet bureaucrats really care about saving taxpayer monies).
I also think that city codes should adjust to allow all new house builds to accommodate an off-street robotaxi space for pick up and drop off.
I don't see self-driving vehicles, with an operating cost of 20 cents per mile, putting much of a dent in the demand for owning one's own personal car. Gasoline-Electric hybrids getting 50 miles per gallon or more, would have a fuel cost - at a $3 per gallon gas price - of only around 5 cents per mile (and the total operating cost for hybrids is probably not much more than 10 cents per mile, including the fuel cost).
(posted by Elvis Clark on December 24, 2025)
My review of The 2024 Oregon International Auto show (Feb' 22-24)
New 2024 gasoline powered sedans at last week's auto show have an average list price of about $35k - whereas hybrids are about $5,000 more, and all-electrics are over $15,000 more. Excludes high-end luxury brands.
The Prologue is an all-electric with a list price starting just about $50,000.
You could have tried your hand at professional race car driving with the simulator at this year's car show.
Ford had a mini race track indoors at the Convention Center where a professional driver takes you around, with tires a squealing.
Volkswagen had a new version of its old hippie bus at this year's auto show.
For 5 more Auto Show pics, click the 'Show More' button just below and to the right of the Volkswagen Bus photo (just to your right).
Show More
The new 2024 line up of cars and trucks
The oregon International Auto show features the latest in electric, hybrid and gasoline vehicles
I'll have photos and data this Sunday February 25, 2024, from the Oregon Internation Auto Show.
The Show started yesterday, Thursday 2/22/24, and runs both Saturday (2/24) and Sunday (2/25). It operates these days from 10 am to 7 pm. Price to enter the Convention Center to see the auto show is $15 for senior citizens and Military, $20 for other adults, and $10 for children.
There is a race car simulator you take for a spin. Also, Ford has a mini-racetrack, and a professional driver will speed you in one of Ford's new vehicles around this indoor racetrack.
Back on Sunday with more.
(posted by Elvis Clark on February 22, 2024)