Neustart Wann fährt mich endlich ein Robotaxi nach Hause?
Oct 30, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Nicolas Killian, a ZEIT correspondent and expert on autonomous vehicles, shares his thrilling experiences with Waymo and Tesla's robotaxi services in San Francisco. He delves into the rider experience, outlining how easy it is to book and ride in these cars. The conversation contrasts Tesla's camera-based system with Waymo's multi-sensor approach, raising important safety considerations. Killian also discusses potential expansions to Europe, including Germany, questioning if cities truly need more cars or better transport solutions.
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Negotiating With A Pushy AI
- Nicolas Killian spent a half hour haggling with a Palo Alto AI assistant called POKE that negotiates subscription price using personal data.
- He eventually secured a €4.50 monthly rate after the assistant referenced his travel and email data during negotiation.
Robotaxis Already Part Of City Life
- Waymo robotaxis operate publicly in San Francisco and feel familiar to app-based taxi users.
- Riders report they sometimes prefer robotaxis for privacy and perceived safety compared with human-driven ride-hailing.
Sensors Plus Simulation Enable Prediction
- Waymo uses many sensors (cameras, radar, LiDAR) and vast datasets plus simulation to predict pedestrian behavior.
- That multi-sensor, long-training approach explains why Waymo's systems perform reliably in complex situations.