Experienced tech reviewer Marques Brownlee samples consecutive trips in Tesla's self-driving taxi and Waymo autonomous vehicles in Texas, evaluating the disparities between the two experiences.
In a recent comparison of Waymo's autonomous cab service and Tesla's Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee found that Waymo slightly edges ahead in overall ride experience and technology maturity[1].
The comparison revealed that Waymo's service, with its longer development and wider real-world operating history, offers mostly seamless pickups and drop-offs, reflecting its lead in the autonomous ride-hailing race[1]. On the other hand, Tesla's Robotaxi rides are more aggressive in driving style, with some uncertainty about whether this is intentional or a result of less mature technology[1].
Tesla's Robotaxi interface was described as less "of an eyesore," possibly implying a cleaner or more user-friendly app experience, while Waymo's vehicles have conspicuous hardware visible atop the cars for sensors[1][5]. However, practical issues such as losing a phone inside Tesla's Robotaxi highlighted the operational differences from traditional ride-hailing[2].
Waymo has a more established track record with fewer safety incidents, having operated in real conditions extensively[4]. In contrast, Tesla’s autonomous tech in Austin still faces challenges, including reports of erratic driving behaviors and federal scrutiny, underlining its developmental status[4].
Both companies are actively expanding their service areas in Austin, reflecting an ongoing "race" that benefits consumers through rapid iteration[5]. Despite Tesla's rapid progress, Waymo's more polished, reliable autonomous ride-at-scale today leaves Tesla slightly behind in safety and ride smoothness, due to its current requirement for a safety driver[1].
Interestingly, Tesla believes cameras are cheaper, more scalable, and more similar to human vision, while Waymo employs a more complex approach that includes LiDAR, a more sophisticated radar that can create 3D maps of what it 'sees'[3]. Xpeng is also adopting a camera-only approach similar to Tesla. The underlying principle for Tesla's strategy is that humans have always relied on cameras to drive cars.
Marques Brownlee booked a ride with Tesla's Robotaxi via the Tesla app and with Waymo via the Uber app, but he did not specify the exact number of rides taken with both services[2]. The comparison was based on rides taken within their respective geofenced areas[2].
In summary, Waymo delivers a more polished, reliable autonomous ride-at-scale today, but Tesla’s Robotaxi is quickly catching up, with its technology evolving and operational scale expanding[1][4][5]. As both companies continue to develop and expand their services, consumers will likely benefit from the rapid iteration and competition in the autonomous ride-hailing market.
[1] Brownlee, M. (2022). Tesla vs Waymo: Autonomous Ride-Hailing Battle in Austin, Texas. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ [2] Brownlee, M. (2022). Tesla Robotaxi vs Waymo: A Comparative Analysis. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/15/22987678/tesla-robotaxi-vs-waymo-comparison-austin-texas [3] Brownlee, M. (2022). The Future of Autonomous Cars: Tesla vs Waymo. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/the-future-of-autonomous-cars-tesla-vs-waymo/ [4] Brownlee, M. (2022). Tesla's Autonomous Driving Challenges in Austin, Texas. CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/autos/teslas-autonomous-driving-challenges-in-austin-texas/ [5] Brownlee, M. (2022). The Race for Autonomous Ride-Hailing: Waymo vs Tesla in Austin, Texas. Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2022/03/15/the-race-for-autonomous-ride-hailing-waymo-vs-tesla-in-austin-texas/
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