ROBO/FLYING TAXIS


TESLA’S DRIVERLESS ROBOTAXI CLAIMS CHALLENGED AS SAFETY MONITORS REAPPEAR IN CHASE CARS


A surge in Tesla’s stock price following Elon Musk’s announce- ment of “unsupervised” Robotaxi drives in Austin has been met with scepticism after video evidence revealed the vehicles are being shadowed by human-operated trailing cars. On 22 January, Musk claimed on X that the company had “just started Tesla Robotaxi drives in Austin with no safety monitor in the car,” a statement that triggered a 4 per cent jump in share value and optimistic headlines across the financial press. However,


critics argue the


milestone is a “game of smoke and mirrors,” as spotted Robotaxis were closely followed by black Teslas believed to be housing the very safety monitors Musk claimed to


The controversy arises as Musk once again claimed to have “solved autonomy” during the World Econ- omic Forum in Davos, a promise he has made annually for the last six years. Industry experts argue


have removed. While Musk’s statement that there is “no safety monitor in the car” is technically accurate, analysts suggest the implication of true autonomy is “misleading at best.” Observers note that having a chase car follow an AV “defeats the entire purpose of autonomy” and indicates that Tesla isn’t ready to match competitors such as Waymo, whose vehicles operate genuinely alone without trailing backup.


that the use of chase cars proves the system “isn't ready to operate without a human safety net,” suggesting the move


is a


marketing stunt designed to maintain Tesla’s valuation. Critics maintain that the real objective of such announcements is to bolster the company’s market cap, as the entire valuation thesis “depends on investors believing that full autonomy is right around the corner.”


150MPH ELECTRIC FLYING TAXIS COULD LINK LONDON AIRPORTS TO CITY BY 2028


British firm Vertical Aerospace has announced plans for its electric flying taxi, the Valo, to begin commercial operations by 2028, with initial routes targeting rapid connections between London airports and city centres. The Valo, designed for up to six passengers and capable of speeds reaching 150mph and a range of up to 100 miles, was showcased as a full-scale prototype in Canary Wharf on 10 December. The company aims to secure regulatory approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) within three years.


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Vertical Aerospace chief executive Stuart Simpson said: “Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality – clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service... It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours.” Initial planned routes from Canary Wharf include London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Cambridge, Oxford, and Bicester. Though the aircraft will initially launch with a four-seat cabin and be a “premium product used for airport transfers,” a company spokesperson emphasised the long-term affordability goal: “The


aircraft is designed to be


significantly cheaper than a helicopter, and to compete with ground transport... Ultimately, the potential is for this aircraft to be a similar cost as hiring an Uber.” Domhnal Slattery, chairman of Vertical Aerospace, added: “Valo sets a new standard – bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector... It’s a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK’s leadership in aerospace.” The company plans to build seven certification aircraft in the UK for final testing before receiving the required Type Certification for commercial service.


FEBRUARY 2026 PHTM


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