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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There are plenty of robotaxis being tested, but this one in Foster City caught my attention because it is symmetrical front and back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I found out the company is Zoox. Jeff Bezos owns them now. They make perfect sense: they carry up to four proles, they go backward as well as forward (there is no defined front or back.) Having the front to back symmetry means they achieve economy of scale in half the time without dialing in much additional instrumentation cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Waymo was first, but the depreciation cost kills Waymo’s savings from not having a driver. These Zoox cars have a lower up front cost and might be cheaper to clean (pressure wash inside?)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Having symmetry means the steering mechanisms are simpler: both front and rear wheels steer. That would mean half the required steer angle which simplifies a lotta stuff mechanically and means you don’t need a differential as rear-wheel-drive cars have.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lower initial cost means more of them can be left parked, or can troll around picking up and dropping off passengers. This is cool!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><img width=321 height=243 style='width:3.3437in;height:2.5312in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DD0DF1.9D4754C0"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>My prediction: Amazon will beat Waymo eventually.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>spike<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>