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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.

Comparative Ride Experience: Marques Brownlee Takes Tesla and Waymo Robotaxis for a Spin in Austin, Texas, Declaring a Slim Victory for One Over the Other

Comparison of Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo rides in Texas by Marques Brownlee, side by side experiences...
Comparison of Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo rides in Texas by Marques Brownlee, side by side experiences detailed

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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