The robotaxi and I are engaged in a reciprocal recording, while someone in a nearby car is capturing both of us. It’s an unusually hot day in San Francisco, and I’m a passenger in Charcuterie, a self-driving car operated by Cruise, alongside William Riggs, a professor who specializes in self-driving cars at the University of San Francisco. As we cruise along a street next to Golden Gate Park, the front seats remain empty, and the car effortlessly maneuvers itself.
When I notice the stranger filming us, we are halted at a red light. Riggs rolls down his window to engage in conversation. Suddenly, a pleasant robotic voice interrupts, reminding Riggs to keep his hands and arms inside the vehicle. Observing our futuristic setup, the woman in the neighboring car remarks, “It’s weird!”
Riggs responds, “It’s actually quite normal and forgettable!”
This is the reality of summer 2023 in San Francisco, where numerous self-driving taxis crawl the roads. Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, and Waymo, owned by Alphabet, have operated their autonomous vehicles in the city for years. Recently, California granted permission for these companies to expand their operations, offering paid rides around the clock. However, there have been some challenges. A car was stuck in wet cement, several others experienced malfunctions during the Outside Lands music festival, causing traffic issues, and a Cruise vehicle collided with a fire truck, resulting in a reduction of their fleet and an ongoing investigation.
While robotaxis are not flawless, it’s important to acknowledge that humans are fallible as well. The number of road fatalities in the US reached a staggering 46,000 last year, surpassing most other developed countries. Cars rank as the second-highest cause of death for American children, trailing only firearms. In theory, an autonomous future could greatly enhance road safety, as computers do not drive under the influence of alcohol, get distracted by phones, or speed. Although these vehicles hold great promise, the present reality is far more complex. The question we face is how much risk and inconvenience we are willing to endure on the path to this utopian vision.
Some city must serve as the testing ground for these cars, and San Francisco has been at the forefront. Cruise also operates in Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, while Waymo is expanding to Los Angeles in addition to its presence in Phoenix. However, according to Missy Cummings, a professor and advocate for autonomous vehicle safety, no other city has faced the same level of challenges as San Francisco. Cruise selected San Francisco precisely because of the chaotic driving conditions prevalent there, which allow their technology to be exposed to a variety of scenarios.
Certain residents have expressed their opposition vehemently. Some have placed cones on the hoods of these cars as a form of protest, triggering their safety systems and rendering them immobile. Viral videos on social media ridicule the vehicles when they encounter difficulties. Driving is inherently unpredictable, and novel situations pose challenges for these cars. Chief Jeanine Nicholson of the San Francisco Fire Department shared instances of taxis obstructing emergency vehicles and firefighters having to supervise the autonomous vehicles to prevent mishaps. She emphasized the importance of public safety, placing a proverbial “alarm” on the issue.
Safety experts worry that recent incidents foreshadow future consequences. Phil Koopman, an engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, stated that the cars are performing impressively, but there is a distinction between performance and safety. Cruise and Waymo maintain their safety records indicated by millions of accident-free miles traveled, with no fatal or life-threatening injuries. Representatives from both companies cite data suggesting that their vehicles are safer than human drivers. Koopman likened the introduction of robotaxis to running a marathon—a solid start does not guarantee success throughout the race.
Nonetheless, while riding in these taxis, envisioning a future where they function seamlessly is easy. Apart from my trip with Riggs in Charcuterie, I also experienced a ride in a Waymo car around San Francisco. Unlike Cruise, Waymo does not name its vehicles, but it does allow customization of the spinning sensor atop the car with one’s initials and preferred color. Mine featured glowing aquamarine initials “CN.” Both rides felt remarkably ordinary, with the cars adeptly navigating busy streets, pedestrians, and even a fire truck in the case of Charcuterie.
As driverless cars emerge, human drivers continue to contribute to fatalities. Sadly, just this month, a 4-year-old in San Francisco lost her life when struck by an oncoming vehicle while crossing the street with her father. Riggs personally connected to the issue of robotaxis as he recently lost a friend who was hit by a human-driven car while riding a scooter. Riggs argued that the collision with the fire truck, resulting in minor injuries for the Cruise passenger, was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
A future with driverless cars holds the potential for safer roads and a reduction in unnecessary deaths. Alain Kornhauser, an engineering professor at Princeton, sees the success of these cars rooted in their “DIY, Home Depot solution” to transportation. Paying upfront for the vehicle grants the freedom to travel anywhere. However, what about those who cannot afford a car or are too young or physically unable to drive? Kornhauser questions whether these individuals deserve mobility as well. Although Cruise and Waymo may initially cost the same as ride-hailing apps like Uber, autonomous vehicles could eventually become more affordable than taxis. Experts envision their utilization expanding beyond private taxi services to encompass self-driving shuttle operations, augmenting public transportation deficiencies.
The realization of this future is uncertain, and it may come at the cost of additional lives. In 2018, an Uber-operated self-driving car caused a fatality in Arizona. Tesla’s autopilot feature has been associated with over a dozen deaths. Those both for and against the expansion of robotaxis in San Francisco argue that lives are at stake. Ultimately, this conversation centers around the issues of consent and risk. Koopman insists that it is wrong to subject residents to increased harm in exchange for potential benefits in the future, especially when that future is uncertain.
The potential of self-driving cars is tantalizingly within reach. The possibilities seem incredibly enticing, yet they require testing to further improve. However, how much risk and inconvenience should San Francisco, and potentially the entire nation, be willing to endure to achieve this vision? The divergence between the present and future of these cars can be disorienting, with skepticism toward technology companies that promise significant advancements but inadvertently cause harm. This contradiction is evident throughout Silicon Valley. Perhaps the transformational power of chatbots and AI lies in the distant future, while the path ahead remains arduous.
After completing our drive successfully, Riggs and I find shade under a tree to continue our discussion. Moments later, a Cruise vehicle passes by. I wonder if it is Charcuterie off to pick up its next passenger. To my surprise, it isn’t. This car is named Winter.
San Francisco finds itself in a peculiar position caught between the current state of driverless cars and their potential future. Soon enough, more of the country may experience a similar situation. Companies like Amazon are also testing autonomous vehicles, and Waymo strives to develop a product suitable for any city, vehicle type, and use case, including ride-hailing and long-haul trucking.
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