A Glimpse into the Future at CES: One Robotaxi Company Stands Out

The competition in the robotaxi sector might not be as intense as some believe.

Lloyd Lee, a journalist from Business Insider focusing on robotaxis and new mobility technologies, attended CES for the first time to explore services by companies like Zoox and Vay. His hands-on experiences with these autonomous vehicles have reinforced his opinion that one player is clearly leading, though significant obstacles remain before these vehicles can achieve mainstream acceptance.

Insights from CES: Lloyd Lee Shares His Observations

BI News Chief Steve Russolillo spoke with Lloyd Lee to gather insights from his CES visit, where he evaluated the most impressive innovations and how his experiences might influence future reporting.

Experiencing CES for the first time, Lee was astonished by the sheer scale of the event, noting it's impossible to visit every display despite rigorous scheduling. He observed a significant portion of the event focused on vehicle technology, transforming CES into as much of an auto show as it is a tech showcase, echoing thoughts from Paul Costa, an automotive industry veteran.

Technological Wonders at CES

Among the fascinating technology displayed, Hyundai's booth stood out with its advanced concepts in autonomy, ranging from electric vehicle charging to robotic innovations. Notably, Boston Dynamics, under Hyundai, showcased its Atlas humanoid robot, which was both eerie and captivating in its movements.

Experiencing Robotaxi Services

The highlight for Lee was his first-hand experience with robotaxis, including Amazon's Zoox. These encounters underlined for him the apparent lead Waymo has achieved in the field. Despite the progress, making robotaxis a viable business remains challenging, as operational aspects like fleet management and scaling are pivotal. Even so, Waymo continues to incur losses in its efforts.

Emerging Trends and Predictions

Chris Ahn from Deloitte provided insights into the future of self-driving tech, suggesting that not all automakers would pursue full autonomy like Tesla. Manufacturers may tailor their level of self-driving based on consumer needs, potentially avoiding high costs, such as LiDAR systems, if unnecessary.

Ahn anticipates the merging of rapidly advancing technologies like robotics, AI, and software-defined vehicles, suggesting his future roles might focus on broader technology or mobility innovations rather than specific vehicle technologies.

Innovative Startups at CES

Among the startups, Vay impressed with its unique approach to driverless rentals using remote driving — an often unspoken strategy among autonomous vehicle companies. By delivering vehicles remotely, Vay is preparing to embrace autonomy on its terms.

Adapting to Ambiguity in Tech Reporting

Lee concludes that in covering the tech industry, ambiguity is inevitable, especially with emerging fields like AI and autonomous vehicles. His reporting will now aim to highlight these uncertainties and weave stories around them, acknowledging the many unknowns in these rapidly evolving areas.