The Institute of Transportation Studies, Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS), Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC), Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH), and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) hosted a panel, Robotaxis and AI: Navigating Mobility Innovation and the Public Good in conjunction with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Transportation Engineering masters program visit day on March 14, 2025.
Event Overview:
Robotaxis mark a notable step in urban mobility, with the potential to transform transportation systems, reduce emissions, and improve accessibility. However, these innovations also bring complex challenges surrounding safety, social equity, labor impacts, and public trust in AI-driven systems. As cities grapple with these issues, cross-sector collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers is essential to ensure that technological advancements align with societal needs.
Panel Discussion Topics:
The panel will feature distinguished experts exploring key questions, including:
- How can public policies and regulations address safety, social equity, and accessibility concerns for automated vehicles?
- What role do government and academia play in fostering responsible innovation in robotics and AI?
- How are companies managing the challenges of scaling robotaxi operations while meeting sustainability goals and earning public trust?
- What lessons can real-world deployments in cities like San Francisco offer to inform the future and regulatory frameworks?
Our panelists will share insights from their expertise in technology development, urban policy, real-world applications, and analysis to deliver a rich and balanced conversation. This event will be of particular interest to those engaged in AI, urban planning, research, and sustainable mobility.
Panelists and Moderator:
- Moderator: Brandie Nonnecke, Director, CITRIS Policy Lab
- Panelists:
- Phil Pierce (Zoox, City Policy Lead)
- Julia Friedlander (Automated Driving Policy, SFMTA)
- Alex Bayen (UC Berkeley Professor and CITRIS Director)
- Jessica Lazarus (LBNL Post-Doc and UC Berkeley CEE alum, working on Cruise-related projects)
Event Details:
- Date and Time: Friday, March 14, 2025, 3:00–4:30 PM
- Location: UC Berkeley, CITRIS 310 Banatao Auditorium
- Reception: 4:30pm - 5:00pm-ish