Robotaxi

Technology

An autonomous vehicle concept unveiled by Tesla, designed for a future ride-hailing network without a steering wheel or pedals.


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8/20/2025, 3:38:25 AM

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8/20/2025, 3:39:26 AM

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8/20/2025, 3:39:26 AM

Summary

A robotaxi, also known as a driverless taxi, is an autonomous vehicle (SAE automation level 4 or 5) designed for ridesharing services. These vehicles are equipped with sensors, cameras, navigation systems, and AI to operate with minimal human intervention. While hypothesized to become a major mobility solution in urban areas, offering benefits like improved road safety, reduced traffic congestion, and lower operating costs by eliminating human drivers, widespread adoption has been slower than predicted. Challenges include social acceptance, cybersecurity, cost, and the need for supporting infrastructure. Incidents, such as causing congestion or failing to yield to emergency vehicles, have occurred, and a single fatality was associated with an Uber test vehicle in 2018. Despite these hurdles, pilot trials are ongoing globally, with companies like Waymo, Cruise Automation, WeRide, and Tesla actively developing and deploying services. The global robotaxi market is projected to grow significantly, from $0.4 billion in 2023 to $45.7 billion by 2030.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Type

    Autonomous Vehicle

  • Benefits

    Improved road safety, reduced traffic congestion, reduced parking needs, lower urban pollution, lower energy consumption, reduced operating costs, increased popularity of Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS)

  • Incidents

    Caused congestion, failed to yield to emergency vehicles

  • Challenges

    Slower adoption than predicted, social acceptance, cybersecurity, cost, job destruction, operator liabilities, need for supporting infrastructure (charging stations, communication networks)

  • Fatalities

    1 (associated with an Uber test vehicle)

  • Primary Purpose

    Ridesharing service

  • Key Technologies

    Sensors, cameras, navigation systems, AI, sophisticated software

  • SAE Automation Level

    4 or 5

  • Projected Global Market Value (2023)

    $0.4 billion

  • Projected Global Market Value (2030)

    $45.7 billion

  • Projected Market Growth Rate (2023-2030)

    92%

Timeline
  • Many automakers began announcing plans to develop robotaxis before 2025. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2015

  • NuTonomy launched a closed-invite autonomous taxi service in Singapore. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2016-08

  • Cruise Automation launched a beta robotaxi service for its employees in San Francisco. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2017-08

  • Waymo introduced a paid robotaxi service in Phoenix. (Source: web_search_results)

    2018

  • A pedestrian fatality occurred, associated with an Uber test vehicle. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2018

  • Questions were raised about the stalled progress of self-driving technology and unresolved issues of social acceptance, cybersecurity, and cost. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2021

  • Some robotaxis caused congestion by blocking roads or failed to properly yield to emergency vehicles. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2023

  • The global robotaxi market value was estimated at $0.4 billion. (Source: web_search_results)

    2023

  • Minh Tran published a blog post noting robotaxi is in its early stages. (Source: web_search_results)

    2024-07-26

  • WeRide reported robotaxi revenue of RMB16.1 million (US$10 million), making up 22.3% of its total revenue. (Source: web_search_results)

    2025-Q1

  • The global robotaxi market is projected to reach $45.7 billion. (Source: web_search_results)

    2030

Robotaxi

A robotaxi, also known as robot taxi, robo-taxi, self-driving taxi or driverless taxi, is an autonomous car (SAE automation level 4 or 5) operated for a ridesharing company. Some studies have hypothesized that robotaxis operated in an autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD) service could be one of the most rapidly adopted applications of autonomous cars at scale and a major mobility solution, especially in urban areas. Moreover, they could have a very positive impact on road safety, traffic congestion and parking. Robotaxis could also reduce urban pollution and energy consumption, since these services will most probably use electric cars and for most of the rides, less vehicle size and range is necessary compared to individually owned vehicles. The expected reduction in number of vehicles means less embodied energy; however energy consumption for redistribution of empty vehicles must be taken into account. Robotaxis would reduce operating costs by eliminating the need for a human driver, which might make it an affordable form of transportation and increase the popularity of transportation-as-a-service (TaaS) as opposed to individual car ownership. Such developments could lead to job destruction and new challenges concerning operator liabilities. In 2023, some robotaxis caused congestion when they blocked roads due to lost cellular connectivity, and others failed to properly yield to emergency vehicles. As of 2023 there has been only one fatality associated with a robotaxi, a pedestrian who was hit by an Uber test vehicle in 2018. Predictions of the widespread and rapid introduction of robotaxis – by as early as 2018 – have not been realized. There are a number of trials underway in cities around the world, some of which are open to the public and generate revenue. However, as of 2021, questions have been raised as to whether the progress of self-driving technology has stalled and whether issues of social acceptance, cybersecurity and cost have been addressed.

Web Search Results
  • Evolution of technology investment and development ...

    The commercialization of the robotaxi is expected to rapidly increase the market penetration rate of AVs, especially in the early stages of development. Robotaxi is a type of autonomous vehicle that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving technologies to provide mobility services to the public. A number of leading companies are actively investing and conducting pilot operations. For instance, Waymo — Google’s AV subsidiary — introduced a paid robotaxi service in Phoenix in 2018 [...] 2025, Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Show abstract Robotaxi services integrate autonomous driving technology with traditional online ride-hailing and can meet the increasing demand for urban transportation. This study analyzed the factors influencing passengers’ intentions to transition from traditional ride-hailing to robotaxi services. Using the stimulus-organism-response framework and theory of planned behavior, we examined social anxiety (social environment [...] As a typical business model in the public domain, robotaxi services play a critical role in demonstrating large-scale applications of autonomous vehicles and are of great significance in achieving the goal of more intelligent, efficient, sustainable, and comfortable transport systems. In this study, we analyze strategies to promote R&D investment and market penetration for robotaxi services during three phases: introduction, development, and dominance. We established a series of competition

  • Robotaxi - The Driverless Vehicles That Drive the Urban ...

    What is a robotaxi? ----------------------- A robotaxi, or a self-driving taxi, is equipped with sensors, cameras, and navigation systems to travel on public roads with little to no human intervention. Utilizing sophisticated software, it can identify and steer clear of obstacles, alleviate traffic, and offer passengers a quicker and more convenient transportation option. What drives the growth of robotaxi? --------------------------------------- Technological advancements [...] > The landscape of robotaxi appears bright, which can substantially benefit civilians, businesses, and communities on a whole. A robotaxi, or a self-driving taxi, is equipped with sensors, cameras, and navigation systems to travel on public roads with little to no human intervention. Despite its potential to transform the urban landscape, robotaxi is in its early stages and has a long way to go before it becomes commonplace. Written by Minh Tran July 26, 2024 [...] Despite its potential to transform the urban landscape, robotaxi is in its early stages and has a long way to go before it becomes commonplace. For robo-taxis to operate at scale, supporting infrastructure (such as charging stations and communication networks) must be developed. It is also crucial to prioritize the safety of autonomous vehicles and establish liability frameworks in the event of accidents or malfunctions to maintain the safety of all individuals.

  • Robotaxis Are Here: Top 3 Companies That Are Driving the Future ...

    Meet the Robotaxi: AI Behind the Wheel ------------------------------------------ Robotaxis are driverless ride‑hailing vehicles that operate using a combination of sensors (LiDAR, cameras, radar) and AI to navigate without human drivers. Most services today reach autonomy Level 4, meaning they can handle all driving tasks within defined conditions. [...] Source: MarketsandMarkets According to a report, the global robotaxi market could grow from $0.4 billion in 2023 to $45.7 billion by 2030, at a rate of almost 92%. If trends keep going, robotaxis might soon be profitable on a large scale. This is key for drawing in long-term investors and speeding up global use. ### Game Changer: What Robotaxis Mean for Uber and Lyft [...] ### WeRide: China’s 1st Listed Robotaxi Company WeRide, a Nasdaq-traded company (WRD), posted Q1 2025 revenue of RMB72.4 million (US$10 million). This is a 1.8% increase from last year. Robotaxi revenue rose to RMB16.1 million, making up 22.3% of total revenue. This is a jump from 11.9% the previous year.

  • Get Started With Robotaxi | Tesla Support

    Robotaxi combines our automated driving technology and renowned vehicle hardware design to create a personalized driverless experience that is reliable and convenient. With Robotaxi, you can get to your destination while also enjoying the comfort of an autonomous Tesla vehicle. How Robotaxi Works To get started, download the Robotaxi app. Use your Tesla Account credentials to sign in. Create a Tesla Account if you don’t already have one before attempting to sign into the Robotaxi app. [...] Personalize your Robotaxi experience with different vehicle features that are available to you. Robotaxi allows you to adjust climate settings and seat positioning, stream music and more from the Robotaxi app and the vehicle’s touchscreen. Critical ride information will be available for you on the Robotaxi app and the vehicle’s touchscreen, from monitoring your trip progress to requesting support during your ride. We also will ensure you always have the ability to request the ride to pull over

  • Robotaxi - Wikipedia

    August 2016 – NuTonomy launched a closed-invite autonomous taxi service using a fleet of 6 modified Renault Zoes and Mitsubishi i-MiEVs, limited to operating within their office's district in Singapore.( Human drivers were seated in the front for safety. [...] In August 2017, Cruise Automation, a self-driving startup acquired by General Motors in 2016, launched the beta version of a robotaxi service for its employees in San Francisco using a fleet of 46 Chevrolet Bolt EVs.( ### Testing and revenue service timeline [edit] This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. [...] ### Other developments [edit] Image 7.jpg) A purpose-built Zoox Robotaxi driving autonomously in San Francisco. Many automakers announced their plans in 2015–2018 to develop robotaxis before 2025 and specific partnerships have been signed between automakers, technology providers and service operators, including:

A robotaxi, also known as robo-raxi, self-driving taxi or driverless taxi, is an autonomous car (SAE automation level 4 or 5) operated for a ridesharing company. Some studies have hypothesized that robotaxis operated in an autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD) service could be one of the most rapidly adopted applications of autonomous cars at scale and a major mobility solution in the near future, especially in urban areas, providing the majority of vehicle miles in the United States within a decade of their first introduction. Moreover, they could have a very positive impact on road safety, traffic congestion and parking. Robotaxis could also reduce pollution and consumption of energy, since these services will most probably use electric cars and for most of the rides, less vehicle size and range is necessary compared to individually owned vehicles. The expectable reduction of the number of vehicles means less embodied energy, however energy consumption for redistribution of empty vehicles must be taken into account. Robotaxis would reduce operating costs by eliminating the need for a human driver, which might make it an affordable form of transportation and increase the popularity of transportation-as-a-service (TaaS) as opposed to individual car ownership. However, such developments could lead to job destruction and new challenges concerning operator liabilities. Predictions of the widespread and rapid introduction of robo-taxis – by as early as 2018 – have not been realized. There are a number of pilot trials underway in cities around the world, some of which are in revenue service and open to the public. However, questions have been raised as to whether the progress of self-driving technology has stalled and whether issues of social acceptance, cybersecurity and cost have been addressed.