General Motors plans to launch the first robotic taxi on the roads of the USA in 2019
General Motors wants to "throw" robotic taxis without steering wheel and pedals on the streets in 2019, which has already submitted an application for the relevant license, while the test area has been determined, as reported by the German newspaper Die Welt.
At first glance inside the car, one can see that in the front row of seats, the windshield offers unrestricted views. But a closer look reveals that critical instruments are missing: the speedometer and the steering wheel. Even the pedals are not visible in the footwell of the driver's seat, writes Die Welt.
This will be the first real robotic taxi expected on US roads next year. The American automaker General Motors (GM), which previously owned Opel, wants to bring around 2019 self-driving versions of the Chevrolet Bolt electric car to the road in 2.500. Many manufacturers are now experimenting with partially or completely autonomous vehicles, the publication points out.
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Self-propelled test cars offer, at least in theory, the opportunity for passengers to intervene. In road tests there is always a specially trained driver who bypasses the computer in case of error.
This will no longer be possible with GM's Cruise AV model. Even if there was a driver it would not help, as the steering wheel and pedals are missing. GM has already applied for a license from the US Department of Transportation for robotic taxis. The authorities have not yet approved it, as the laws do not keep pace with the pace of technological development. Cruise AV cannot comply with certain rules, according to GM. For example, with the requirement to have a built-in airbag on the steering wheel.
So GM explained to the authorities that Robo-Taxi will provide the same level of safety without complying with the letter of the law. For example by installing passenger airbags on both sides. It remains to be seen, of course, whether and when ministry experts will agree with the experiment.
The starting area could be San Francisco
However, many competitors are following this development. For example, according to the German newspaper, BMW is already testing a fleet of self-driving cars on the move, in and around Munich. Daimler and Bosch have announced a joint robo-taxi for the beginning of the next decade. New competitors were added to this, such as Tesla.
Also, Google has already a few years ago tested cars without steering wheel, gas and brake, which were manufactured by its subsidiary Waymo. However, when moving on the road with passengers, they have a steering wheel and pedals, so that there is the possibility of intervention in case of emergency.
However, Waymo has a Chrysler-Minivans fleet on hand, in which it wishes to abolish the test drivers in 2019. In case passengers have reservations, they can intervene themselves.
GM initially wants to use robo-taxis only in well-defined areas. It is more likely to start in downtown San Francisco, where the company has already gained experience with autonomous vehicles that still have steering wheels and pedals.
Users can call taxi robots via the mobile app. Upon arrival, the air conditioning and the entertainment system are automatically adjusted according to the user's personal preferences. Inside the car there will be touch screens to monitor the route and get in touch with a service center. A button will also appear on the screen, the only one that allows interference in driving: Pressing it in case of emergency stops the car immediately before the end of the trip.
Source: News247