Tesla just rolled out its new Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas—Elon Musk’s latest move in the self-driving car race. But how does it stack up against Baidu’s Apollo Go, China’s leading autonomous taxi service? Baidu has been testing its tech since 2019 and went commercial in 2022, giving it a head start. Musk, meanwhile, is framing Tesla’s launch as the payoff of ten years of effort. The piece digs into how these two tech giants compare in the fast-evolving world of driverless rides.

Editor’s Note: The battle for dominance in self-driving taxis is heating up, and this isn’t just about tech—it’s about who sets the global standard. Tesla’s push into robotaxis could reshape urban mobility in the U.S., while Baidu’s early lead in China shows how regulations and market readiness vary wildly by region. For consumers, it’s a peek at the future of transportation; for investors, it’s a high-stakes race between two very different approaches.

Hong Kong's airport has temporarily pulled its driverless buses off the road after two of them crashed in a restricted area. Officials are now inspecting the vehicles, and an expert is urging authorities to rethink the technology behind these buses and improve safety measures like obstacle detection. A photo of the aftermath is making the rounds online, adding fuel to the conversation about the reliability of autonomous transport.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a hiccup for Hong Kong’s airport—it’s a red flag for the broader push toward driverless tech. If even restricted, controlled environments can’t prevent collisions, it raises tough questions about how ready these systems really are for wider use. For travelers and tech watchers alike, it’s a reminder that the road to full autonomy might still have a few bumps.