Related for approximating when vehicles without a steering wheel.

@CarsonGale will this question close Jan 1, 24 or 25?

@LeonardoKr Thanks for flagging - the question title clearly states "end of 2024" (which is pretty unambiguous), but the 'close date' was accidentally set for 12/31/2023. I've since adjusted the close date to appropriately reflect the time period.

Hopefully no issue for traders since "close dates" are often set meaningfully before the "resolve dates", but LMK if anyone made bad trades as a result of the mistake and I can consider rectifying with a mana payout.

Non-driving display AV prototype from Zeekr, for Waymo (end of article)

According to ZEEKR, the prototype EVs are being built in China as we speak and will be sent to Waymo shortly. However, the final location of the production EVs is yet to be determined. When that does happen, the robotaxi network plans to deploy the purpose-built EVs in four US cities to begin, including San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, but there is no clear timeframe on when that will happen.

The version seen above does not include a steering wheel, but the first EVs you may see on city streets will likely have them for regulatory reasons. ZEEKR said that if regulations require the steering wheel, it can add it as necessary.

https://electrek.co/2023/11/02/zeekr-001-009-first-drives-evs-automaker-waymo-mpv/

ZEEKR 001 and 009 first drives: Quality EVs offering proof this automaker is just getting started

After over two years of consistent coverage of Geely’s young, all-electric ZEEKR brand, I finally got the opportunity to see...

Cruise has had their DMV AV license revoked after misleading the CA DMV, hiding the second half of the video of their car dragging the pedestrian 20 ft as it executed a "pullover maneuver"

https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a3ba3/california-dmv-suspends-cruises-self-driving-car-license-after-pedestrian-injury

The best chance for a Level 5 robotaxi was the Cruise Origin, which is awaiting NHTSA approval. They have a test version in SF: https://twitter.com/sojan_official/status/1716204193407717484
But the license suspension is a major setback for Cruise, not just for it's robotaxi service, but also in terms of regulator goodwill.

Waymo is partnered with Chinese car manufacturer Geely for its Level 5 AVs, but nothing in production and certainly won't be ready in 2024. Zoox is similar, but probably even further behind.

Cruise Self-Driving License Revoked After It Withheld Pedestrian Injury Footage, DMV Says

The DMV said the vehicles “are not safe for the public’s operation.”

@MingweiSamuel Actually Zoox is probably closest now. Waymo continues at their deliberately slow pace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzNNJc2dqqo

Zoox Driverless Vehicle SPOTTED in Foster City, California

0:00 Start and Passenger Loading0:11 Pull out0:43 Right on red1:12 Right on red1:33 Slowing for parked cars2:02 Slowing for parked cars and oncoming2:30 Park...

How will this resolve if Cruise claims to have Origins available for service, but there is very limited availability? Will this resolve YES if any regular person in SF takes a ride in an Origin, or do you specifically have to physically take a ride in one? Does this resolve YES if there is a Cruise employee operator with a game controller on board?

@MingweiSamuel I specifically have to be able to ride. As of now, I have no particular "in" with any Cruise employees other than a habit of requesting early access with regularity.

"SF finally permits a 24/7 service despite local resistance."
https://www.ft.com/content/84ef1d6c-f731-4c78-a056-5bf368beac2b

Here come the driverless taxis | Financial TimesFinancial Times

San Francisco finally permits a 24/7 service despite local resistance. Can autonomous carmakers now win over the world?

I would bet more, but I am scared that @wustep has a great calibration curve and thinks that there is a 60%. I guess it could be available for certain zones. Things are stuck with the NHTSA. @wustep - Do you know some insider info?

@PC I would refer to my bio - “I have no idea what I’m doing” 😉

My bet is given that Carson lives in SF and Cruise Origins seems close to being out — https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/14/cruise-to-begin-testing-origin-robotaxis-in-austin-in-coming-weeks/

Cruise to begin testing Origin robotaxis in Austin in coming weeks

Cruise, the self-driving unit under GM, is rolling out its custom built Origin robotaxi on Austin’s public streets in the next several weeks.

Cruise Origin or Zoox seem like the most likely route for a YES resolution.

Why not Waymo? Do they have steering wheels?

@jack they do have steering wheels, and I'm not aware of a concept vehicle w/o from Waymo.

@CarsonGale They seem to be working on one: https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/21/23471183/waymo-zeekr-geely-autonomous-vehicle-av-robotaxi

Waymo’s new robotaxi is an all-electric people mover with no steering wheel

Waymo unveiled its new electric AV, a steering-wheel-less people mover made in collaboration with Geely’s Zeekr. The new vehicle made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

@jack thanks for sharing - I wasn't aware of that! Very exciting...

The Cruise Origin (which will presumably operate first in SF, where other Cruise cars are operating), looks like it would satisfy this criteria.

Anywhere on Earth?

@tmk I live in SF, so likely will need to be in or near the Bay Area. If I'm traveling somewhere, that could resolve based on capabilities elsewhere.