Core Viewpoint - The Robotaxi market is becoming increasingly competitive, with Tesla and Volkswagen making significant strides in autonomous driving technology and deployment [2][4][20]. Group 1: Tesla's Robotaxi Launch - Tesla launched its highly anticipated Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, with an initial deployment of about 10 vehicles, which led to an 8.23% increase in its stock price [3][4]. - The Robotaxi's performance has faced scrutiny, with reports of issues such as sudden braking and speeding [4][28]. - Tesla's Robotaxi is equipped with a pure vision system (HW 4.0) and claims an accident rate of only 0.15 per million kilometers, compared to Waymo's 1.16 [27]. Group 2: Volkswagen's Strategy - Volkswagen is testing approximately 30 Robotaxis in Hamburg, Germany, with plans to expand to the U.S. market by 2026 through a partnership with Uber [5][15]. - The company aims to remove safety drivers by 2027 in Europe, marking a significant milestone in its autonomous driving ambitions [6][21]. - Volkswagen's approach contrasts with Tesla's, as it collaborates with Mobileye for its autonomous driving system, while also integrating its software subsidiary Cariad for vehicle control [14][16]. Group 3: European Market Dynamics - Europe has been slower to adopt autonomous driving due to stricter regulations and a lack of local tech giants, but it is now accelerating efforts to innovate in the automotive sector [9][19]. - The European Union has introduced action plans to simplify testing processes for autonomous vehicles, aiming to boost the struggling automotive industry [18]. - Despite the challenges, Volkswagen's strategy is focused on competing in the U.S. market, where it will face direct competition from established players like Waymo and Tesla [20][32]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Waymo operates a fleet of 1,500 autonomous vehicles in cities like San Francisco and Phoenix, having completed over 10 million rides, but faces high per-vehicle costs as a barrier to commercialization [25][26]. - The collaboration between Uber and various autonomous driving partners, including Motional and WeRide, is shaping the Robotaxi ecosystem in major U.S. cities [23]. - Volkswagen's strategy emphasizes gradual expansion based on trust rather than rapid scaling, as stated by MOIA's CEO [31].