Liability, Not Tech, Blocks Robotaxis

The piece argues the central barrier to widespread self‑driving cars in 2026 is not raw capability but liability, local regulation, business models, and public credibility—companies can demo competence yet still be stopped by politics and legal exposure. Focusing on these governance frictions explains why targeted, safety‑first deployments (shuttles, crash‑protection followers) are more viable than broad consumer robo‑cars. — If true, policy should prioritize clear liability rules, municipal permitting frameworks, and staged public pilots rather than assuming further technical progress alone will bring robotaxis to scale.