Waymo vs. Tesla Robotaxi: Austin Ride Test

Join us for an in-depth comparison of Waymo’s autonomous ride service against Tesla’s Robotaxi in Austin, Texas. This episode dives into real-world testing, uncovering the strengths and quirks of Waymo’s self-driving experience, from smooth rides to unexpected navigation hiccups, all while cruising Austin’s vibrant streets.

Key Takeaways

• Waymo offers a private, comfortable ride but struggles with pickup/drop-off locations, often stopping in traffic.

• Ride quality is smooth but occasionally hesitant, with noticeable robotic moments compared to Tesla’s smoother Robotaxi.

• App integration with Uber adds complexity, requiring specific settings to hail a Waymo.

• Waymo’s larger geofence in Austin allows access to areas like the Texas Capitol, unlike Tesla’s limited range.

• Both services outperform human-driven Ubers in consistency and privacy.

In this episode, we take multiple Waymo rides across Austin to evaluate its autonomous driving capabilities, comparing it to Tesla’s Robotaxi. Starting at Terry Black’s BBQ, we encounter issues with Waymo stopping in the middle of busy streets for pickups and drop-offs, despite available parking spaces. This behavior, observed in multiple rides, raises safety concerns as passengers exit into traffic. The Uber app integration, while functional, requires toggling preferences for electric vehicles and autonomous rides, adding steps compared to Tesla’s streamlined Robotaxi app.

Waymo’s ride quality is generally smooth, with comfortable seating and quiet operation, though it exhibits occasional hesitations and clunky maneuvers, like abrupt braking for cyclists or delayed lane changes. Navigation challenges arise, such as routing to incorrect locations (e.g., a deserted lot instead of an HEB pharmacy) or avoiding construction-heavy routes, suggesting room for improvement in GPS accuracy. In contrast, Tesla’s Robotaxi is noted for smoother, more human-like driving, though it’s confined to a smaller geofence.

Despite Waymo’s quirks, its service is reliable, arriving promptly and handling unscripted scenarios like erratic human drivers. The episode also highlights Waymo’s scale limitations—only 1,500 vehicles compared to Tesla’s potential to flood the market with Model Ys. Both services shine for privacy and consistency, outpacing traditional Ubers, but Waymo’s rough edges, like poor drop-off choices, suggest Tesla’s intense scrutiny may drive a more polished product in the long run.

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