Ihr kostenloser Branchen-Newsletter
Lassen Sie sich von unseren Fachjournalisten einmal wöchentlich über die wichtigsten aktuellen Entwicklungen der Taxi-Branche informieren, bequem direkt in Ihre Mailbox.
Aktueller Termin
Meist gelesen
The future of car sharing? Detroit tests remotely controlled E-taxis without drivers
The model was developed by Sway Mobility, a provider of e-car sharing, in collaboration with the remote driving service Mapless AI. The goal is to offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional mobility services. At the center of the project is a Kia Niro EV, remotely controlled by an operator to the desired pickup location. The customer takes over the steering after getting in and drives to the destination. After completing the trip, the control reverts back to the hands of an operator, who remotely steers the vehicle to the next user or a charging station.
This form of mobility solution differs from classic robotaxis, which operate completely autonomously. Instead of advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, remote control in real-time is used here. Using a control panel with a steering wheel and pedals, the operator navigates the vehicle with the help of camera images and sensor data. According to Philipp Robbel, CEO of Mapless AI, the advantage of this method is that existing vehicles can be retrofitted with comparatively inexpensive technology. This makes expensive developments in the field of autonomous driving unnecessary.
Technical Implementation and Initial Experiences
The vehicle is equipped with cameras and sensors that transmit a real-time image of the surroundings to the operator. Additionally, data on position, speed, and other vehicle information is collected. In case of connection issues, the system can rely on built-in sensors like LiDAR and cameras to safely decelerate or park the vehicle.
So far, the pilot project is limited to a single vehicle and a radius of about two kilometers in Detroit. The service is offered at a price of five dollars per hour, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional car-sharing services. The project also aims to study the acceptance of such technologies among the public. Initial experiences show that many users trust tele-driving more than fully autonomous systems, as human intervention is possible at any time in critical situations.
Potential Impact on the Taxi Market
If the model proves successful, it would also affect the taxi market. On one hand, the combination of remote control and autonomous driving increases fleet efficiency and reduces empty trips. At the same time, the question arises as to how such technology could have long-term impacts on the job profile of taxi drivers.
In Europe, such a model is currently not foreseeable, as the regulatory hurdles are high. Nevertheless, the project in Detroit shows that new concepts for optimizing urban mobility are increasingly coming into focus.
Content automatically translated.
Taxi-Fahrzeuge (Pkw) , Taxi-Newsletter, Taxameter, Taxi-Fahrer , BZP – Deutscher Taxi- und Mietwagenverband , Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) , Krankenbeförderung , Weiterbildung , Taxi-Konzessionen , Verkehrspolitik , Mietwagenbranche , Taxi-Apps , Berufskraftfahrer-Qualifikations-Gesetz BKrFQG) , Taxizentralen , Personal, Gehälter, Arbeitsschutz , Wirtschaftsnachrichten , Werbung , Taxi-Folierung , Taxi-Umrüster , Straßenverkehr , Elektromobilität, Taxifuhrpark und -flottenmanagement , Taxi-Versicherungen , Hybrid, Diesel, Erdgas , Taxi-Magazin
