Tesla FSD: A 12-Year-Old at the Wheel Compared to Waymo's Mastery

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, has been quite vocal about his experiences with Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, particularly on the Cybertruck. In a recent social media post, he compared Tesla's FSD to a "12-year-old driving" next to a Waymo vehicle, highlighting the stark contrast in performance and user experience between the two autonomous driving technologies.

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has been at the forefront of self-driving technology since 2009, logging millions of miles of testing on public roads. In contrast, Tesla's FSD has faced criticism from industry experts and users alike, with some reporting disengagements and safety concerns. Gerber's assessment comes at a crucial time for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions, as CEO Elon Musk recently predicted that Tesla's FSD would surpass human driving safety by the second quarter of 2025.

So, what specific aspects of Waymo's technology and performance does Ross Gerber highlight as superior to Tesla FSD, and how do these factors contribute to the overall user experience?

1. Confidence in difficult conditions: Gerber noted that Waymo cars drive with confidence in very difficult conditions, while his Tesla FSD feels like a "12-year-old driving next to a Waymo." This suggests that Waymo's vehicles handle challenging road situations more smoothly and predictably than Tesla FSD.
2. Merging and maneuvering: Waymo vehicles are more hesitant when merging into traffic or making maneuvers compared to Tesla FSD. This indicates that Waymo's system is more cautious and calculated in its decision-making, which could contribute to a safer and more comfortable ride for passengers.
3. Geofenced area: Waymo operates in a geofenced area that is about 40 square miles large, while Tesla's FSD isn't geofenced and works on highways as well. This means that Waymo's service is more limited in terms of coverage, but it also allows for more controlled and optimized operations within its designated area.
4. User experience: Gerber mentioned that "everyone we talk to loves the Waymo experience." This suggests that Waymo's autonomous vehicles provide a more enjoyable and satisfying ride for passengers compared to Tesla FSD.

These factors contribute to an overall better user experience with Waymo's autonomous vehicles, as they offer a more confident, cautious, and enjoyable ride for passengers. However, it's essential to note that Tesla's FSD is still in its early stages of development, and improvements are continually being made.

Uber's partnership with Waymo could significantly enhance its competitive position in the robotaxi market by leveraging Waymo's advanced self-driving technology and extensive experience in the field. Waymo brings several strategic advantages to the table, including proven technology, extensive testing, regulatory expertise, brand recognition, and talent acquisition. These advantages can help Uber strengthen its competitive position in the robotaxi market and potentially challenge or surpass competitors like Tesla.

In conclusion, Ross Gerber's assessment of Tesla FSD compared to Waymo highlights the significant differences in performance and user experience between the two autonomous driving technologies. While Tesla's FSD is still in its early stages of development, Waymo's proven track record and extensive experience in the field make it a formidable competitor in the robotaxi market. Uber's partnership with Waymo could further strengthen its position in this rapidly evolving industry.