Tesla Robotaxi in Austin provided a markedly different rider experience compared with Waymo. Robotaxi vehicles use only exterior cameras and no visible external hardware, allowing them to blend in with other cars, while Waymo and Zoox vehicles use LiDAR rigs that stand out. Robotaxi fares were approximately half the price of Uber, demonstrating a potential price advantage for market share. Both Robotaxi and Waymo delivered safe and smooth rides and high overall performance. The two platforms differed substantially in vehicle appearance, pricing, and the general feel and environment of the ride.
Dorsheimer said that Tesla's first big advantage was vehicle appearance. Robotaxi uses no external equipment or hardware to operate; just its exterior cameras. Meanwhile, Zoox and Waymo vehicles utilize LiDAR rigs on their vehicles, which made them "stick out like a sore thumb." "In contrast, the robotaxis blended in with other Teslas on the road; we felt inconspicuous flowing with the traffic," he added.
Dorsheimer visited Austin recently to ride in both Tesla's Robotaxi ride-sharing program and Waymo, which has operated slightly longer than Tesla has in the city. Tesla started rides on June 22, while Waymo opened its vehicles to the public in March. The analyst gave both platforms the opportunity to present themselves, and by the end of it, one was better than the other in terms of rider experience. However, he noted that both platforms gave safe and smooth rides.
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