Lucid enters the robotaxi race, joining Tesla in the battle to shape autonomous mobility.Image source: Tom Williams/ The robotaxi race just got real. Robotax

Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have the sense of humor of South Park 's Terrance and Phillip, but one has to acknowledge his consistency. After expanding the Robotaxi service area in Austin to an area that looks like a giant penis, Tesla also increased the ride fare.

With the ability to cover up to 450 miles on a single charge, the Gravity SUV is expected to function well as a robotaxi, since it will need less downtime for recharging. This way, vehicles will be available for riders more often. Tesla ’s own Model Y is being used as the brand’s robotaxi, but that has nowhere near the range of the Lucid Gravity.

A major change is quietly taking place on the roads of America. Not with drivers but without them. Self-driving taxis, also called robotaxis, are finally here. And two giants are leading the charge: Waymo and Tesla.

Tesla's new robotaxi geofence in Austin cuts across that of Waymo's and has a phallic shape.

Ross Gerber is pushing back against a partnership between rideshare service Uber Technologies Inc. and automaker Lucid Group Inc.

The ridehail company is teaming up with China’s Baidu to deploy robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East. But Uber’s real autonomous ambitions are more expansive.

The big question is where the liability lies - is it the driver or is it the manufacturer or the software developer? That shift in accountability could reshape insurance entirely,' says head of motor