For over a decade, the automotive industry has made bold promises about the imminent arrival of fully automated vehicles (a.k.a.robotaxis). OEMs alongside tech companies like have invested billions in the race to develop self-driving cars and driverless taxi services. This technology was heralded as a transformative leap — poised to reduce traffic accidents, eliminate congestion, increase mobility for all, and reshape urban landscapes. However, despite the early optimism and aggressive timelines, the reality has fallen far short of expectations.