The hosts discuss CES trends, software-defined vehicles, and the challenges in Volkswagen's software development. They debate the value of Tesla's Full Self-Driving subscription and the industry's struggle to create valuable products. They also touch on development environments, GM's decision on Ultra-Cruise, and company comparisons.
CES is becoming less consumer-facing, raising questions about its direction.
Automakers need to find a balance between user experience and safety to develop successful autonomous driving systems.
Deep dives
Waymo expands geographically and rumors of fundraising
Waymo recently expanded its services geographically, leading to rumors of a potential fundraising round in 2024. The company's ambitions are evident in its expansion plans, but it remains to be seen if they can avoid the challenges faced by other ambitious companies in the industry.
GM folds Ultra-Cruise into Super-Cruise
GM is reportedly folding its Ultra-Cruise product into Super-Cruise, focusing on improving the latter. The decision to merge the two products raises questions about the initial separation and its purpose. The fate of Cruise, GM's robo-taxi unit, remains uncertain, with speculation about potential spinoff or continued development.
The trade-off between user experience and safety in driving automation
The conversation highlights the challenges automakers face in developing driving automation systems that are both safe and user-friendly. Tesla's Autopilot system received criticism for potential misleading marketing claims, while other automakers struggle to create products that customers love while ensuring safety. The key may lie in well-engineered driver monitoring systems and finding the right balance between user experience and safety features.
Waymo's expansion and potential IPO
Waymo's recent geographic expansion indicates its growing ambitions in the self-driving space. Rumors suggest a possible IPO in the future, which could further solidify Waymo's position and allow public investors to compare different approaches to self-driving technology. However, the challenges of bringing such frontier tech to market and achieving profitability remain significant factors to consider.
After another epic CES party, The Autonocats nurse their hangovers and discuss the show's big trends and buzzwords. Join the first discussion episode of 2024, as the gang puzzles through mysteries like why CES is less consumer-facing than ever, what a "software defined vehicle" is, and why Large Language Models are so promising and yet so disappointing in the automotive space.
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