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Uber's Self-Driving Trucks Division Is Dead (techcrunch.com)
Uber is shuttering its self-driving unit, reports TechCrunch. The company will reportedly stop development of self-driving trucks and instead focus its efforts on self-driving cars. "We recently took the important step of returning to public roads in Pittsburgh, and as we look to continue that momentum, we believe having our entire team's energy and expertise focused on this effort is the best path forward," Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber Advanced Technologies Group, said in an emailed statement. From the report: Uber Freight, a business unit that helps truck drivers connect with shipping companies, is unaffected by this decision. "Rather than having two groups working side by side, focused on different vehicle platforms, I want us instead collaborating as one team, according to an email reviewed by TechCrunch that was sent by Meyhofer to employees. "I know we're all super proud of what the Trucks team has accomplished, and we continue to see the incredible promise of self-driving technology applied to moving freight across the country. But we believe delivering on self-driving for passenger applications first, and then bringing it to freight applications down the line, is the best path forward. For now, we need the focus of one team, with one clear objective." The company will pivot employees focused on self-driving trucks to other work that revolves around self-driving technology.
Anyone who really knows anything wouldn't think that autonomous driving is possible at all with todays (or any reasonably near future) technology. Autonomous driving falls into the "80% is easy" part. The last 20% is the tough part, and might never be solved. People are way too optimistic about automated driving and technology in general.
That is the same trick that Tesla has been using. Eventually investors figure it out, the stock falls, then the lawsuits start.
Yes you do. And that might not be possible to do. It isn't there yet, and it might never be. The next 20% needs to be solved. You guys are way too optimistic about this stuff.