4 ms·
Human labour is by far the most expensive aspect of taxis. If a tax driver earns 35,000 USD/yr, a self-driving car only needs to cost < 35,000/yr to turn a prof
by exacube 6y ago
Human labour is by far the most expensive aspect of taxis. If a tax driver earns 35,000 USD/yr, a self-driving car only needs to cost < 35,000/yr to turn a profit at scale.
IIUC, FSD costs are mostly captured by the running service, and the lidar equipment. The lidar equpiment is < 20,000/car for sure, and I can't imagine it costing 15,000/car to service it using waymo's ride hailing platform at scale.
- jdminhbg 6y agoAnd don’t forget that a human driver needs to rest. A FSD cab can operate 24/7 minus maintenance downtime.
- somethoughts 6y agoAnd then on top of 24/7 operation if the lidar equipment can last at least a 5 year life time, it'd be about <$4000/yr/car since its amortized over the life of the lidar equipment.
- throwaway888abc 6y agoVery good point. Also usable for any other transport activity (in near future?). Last mile packages, etc.
- superkuh 6y agoAt least in places where it doesn't snow.