I TESTED TESLA'S ROBOTAXI ON SAN FRANCISCO'S CRAZIEST ROADS

EV Channels Review

The reviewer tested Tesla's Robotaxi service in San Francisco, comparing it against Waymo and Uber. Initial attempts to book a Tesla ride were met with cancellations due to high demand and service limitations, highlighting its nascent stage and limited availability. When a ride was finally secured, the vehicle, a white Tesla Model Y, was not explicitly marked as a robotaxi and had a safety driver present, referred to as 'Bob'. The robotaxi demonstrated impressive capabilities, including lane changes, unprotected left turns, and pedestrian/pet detection, even navigating construction detours and closed roads effectively. However, it encountered issues, notably an 'infinite loop' when faced with a closed road, requiring the safety driver to intervene. The reviewer also noted the robotaxi's inability to route to certain popular destinations like Lombard Street. Despite these challenges and the long wait times, the reviewer found the experience stress-free and was impressed by Tesla's camera-based system compared to competitors. The cost was deemed reasonable, though the lack of availability was a significant drawback.