Mercedes-Benz Rules Out Robotaxi Fleets, Focuses on Driverless Technology for Cars
Tesla's vision of robotaxi fleets as the future may not include Mercedes-Benz. The luxury automaker has emphasized its focus on improving driverless technology for its vehicles rather than operating a transportation service.
"Our job is to take you from A to B in style. We're not a public transportation service or a mobility service provider," stated Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius on a recent earnings call. "We want to give you individually that technology."
The German auto giant believes in selling driverless technology with its cars instead of operating a service. Källenius highlighted the impressive capabilities of the latest driverless tech, particularly in navigating a multi-story parking garage.
While Tesla plans to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Mercedes-Benz remains focused on enhancing individual vehicle experiences. Similar to Mercedes-Benz, General Motors has shifted its focus to its Super Cruise driverless assistance platform, merging its Cruise robotaxi business with consumer-facing autonomous technology.
Despite setbacks, Waymo continues to lead the robotaxi race, operating a fleet in Austin and demonstrating significant advancements in self-driving capabilities. While Tesla has made progress, Waymo holds an edge in the pursuit of fully autonomous transportation.