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Concerns Surrounding Tesla’s Robotaxi Vision
- Uber’s leader expresses reservations regarding Elon Musk’s Robotaxi initiative.
- Khosrowshahi questions whether Tesla owners would be comfortable with strangers in their cars.
- The CEO believes Musk may be overlooking the significance of customer service in this model.
Dara Khosrowshahi, the head of Uber, has voiced his skepticism toward Elon Musk’s proposal for a fleet of autonomous taxis using privately owned Teslas. The concept proposes that when not in use by their owners, these vehicles could serve as taxis rented out to others—potentially generating significant revenue for drivers. According to Musk, this could lead to earnings as high as $30,000 per annum for Tesla vehicle owners.
In a recent appearance on “The Logan Bartlett Show,” Khosrowshahi remarked that he finds it uncertain whether the typical Tesla owner would feel comfortable allowing strangers to use their vehicles. He pointed out that personal ownership may make many hesitate before sharing their cars with unknown passengers.
Challenges During Peak Demand Times
Khosrowshahi highlighted additional challenges regarding demand surges during high-traffic periods. “It seems likely that when you need your Tesla most is during those peak times,” he noted. This contrasts sharply with Uber’s model which allows rapid adjustments by deploying part-time drivers swiftly during rush hours or major events—something that specializes robots might struggle with if they are limited in number compared to human drivers.
The Complexity Beyond Just Technology
The CEO also emphasized the fundamental differences between manufacturing high-tech hardware and executing millions of ride transactions daily. He noted that aspects like customer service shouldn’t be underestimated; scenarios such as dealing with ride-related incidents or lost belongings require nuanced human interaction and support—elements far removed from merely producing advanced technology like automated vehicles.
A Market Driven by Collaboration Not Competition
Khosrowshahi envisions a similar approach within automotive technology; suggesting potential collaborations where manufacturers like Tesla spearhead autonomous vehicle production while teaming up with ride-hailing platforms such as Uber to maximize utilization rates:
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“We’ve invested over 15 years and billions into building our infrastructure,” said Khosrowshahi. “I hope we can extend our hand in partnership towards companies like Tesla.”
