Imagine walking down the street and seeing cars without human drivers cruising along the roads without any noise or occupants behind the wheel. What seemed like science fiction a few years ago is now a reality in cities like San Francisco, Austin and Miami, where companies like Zoox and Waymo are testing their fleets of robotaxis.

And when we say tested, we really mean tested, because the introduction of this new type of transport is not free of controversy or challenges. The underlying question, however, is: how will this new reality affect our cities and their urban planning?

Less parking, more charging points

If robotaxis become the norm, they could radically change the layout of urban areas. This is the estimate of a McKinsey report, which states that the need for parking would decrease, allowing the transformation of these places into parks, bike lanes or new commercial areas.

On the other hand, charging stations for these vehicles would become a new key infrastructure that, on the downside, would also require new spaces. The location of these charging points and their integration with the rest of the city will be crucial to prevent the environmental impact and energy consumption from increasing out of control.

Road safety and regulations

The rise of robotaxis also raises questions about safety. Although they are expected to be more reliable, recent incidents have led to increased regulatory scrutiny. The case of the now defunct Cruise (General Motors’ bet on autonomous cars, which has been halted) in San Francisco, where a robotaxi dragged a pedestrian after an accident, highlights the need for clear regulatory frameworks and risk mitigation technologies.

Another factor to consider is emergency response. How will robotaxis react in unforeseen situations, such as sudden detours or the need to give way to ambulances and firefighters?

A change to rethink cities

Beyond their current problems, robotaxis could be an opportunity to reimagine cities. Regulations such as taxes on distance travelled or dynamic rates could encourage their use during low-demand times and avoid traffic congestion. In addition, with the gradual elimination of surface parking, spaces could be freed up for more sustainable urban development projects.

Furthermore, the possibility of reconfiguring the distribution of vehicles and giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists could allow for a more friendly and habitable city. Wider pedestrian spaces, exclusive bicycle lanes and low-emission zones could be part of the new urban paradigm driven by the arrival of robotaxis.

A new environmental risk?

The transition to electric robotaxis could also have a significant impact on the sustainability of cities. Reducing the use of fossil fuels is a clear advantage, but energy demand management and battery production must be carefully planned to avoid negative effects on the environment.

The design of policies that favour the use of renewable sources for charging these vehicles and the implementation of circular economy models in the manufacturing of their components could make a difference in reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector.

As we see, the key will be to balance innovation with the need for more accessible, sustainable and safe cities. If managed correctly, this transformation will not only redefine mobility but also open the door to a reconfiguration of urban space that benefits citizens as a whole.

Companies that have opted for robotaxis

• Waymo: Founded in 2009 in Mountain View, USA, as a Google project, Waymo became an independent company under Alphabet. It stands out for its advanced perception and machine learning technology and currently operates in several cities with driverless robotaxi services.
• Zoox: Created in 2014 in California and acquired by Amazon in 2020, Zoox has designed an autonomous vehicle from scratch, without a steering wheel or pedals. It has been testing its fleets in cities including Las Vegas and San Francisco, with plans for commercial launches in the future. However, to date, the service remains limited to workers and their families and has not yet been opened to the general public.
• Cruise: Launched in 2013 in San Francisco and acquired by General Motors in 2016, Cruise led trials of driverless robotaxis in the U.S. However, in December 2024, General Motors decided to cease funding Cruise due to regulatory and financial challenges, leading to the closure of its robotaxi operations.