Autonomous Driving
Ongoing coverage on Autonomous Driving.
Latest coverage
Waymo is expanding to Germany, with service in Munich planned for 2027
Waymo is expanding its autonomous driving services to Germany, with plans to launch in Munich by 2027. The company has established subsidiaries in several European countries this summer in preparation for this international growth.
Tesla's Robotaxi fleet might finally be driving around Austin unsupervised
Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin appears to be operating without human supervision. This development suggests progress in the company's autonomous driving technology.
Waymo receives permission to offer rides in Sacramento and San Diego
Waymo has received permission to offer autonomous rides in Sacramento and San Diego. The company will also expand its fleet operations across more areas of the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Evening Mobilization
Tesla's Full Self-Driving system is reportedly causing drivers to receive speeding tickets, leading to dissatisfaction among owners. The article highlights issues with the autonomous driving technology's performance in real-world scenarios.
Waymos are starting to run on freeways again
Waymo has resumed operations on freeways after a temporary pause in May. The company had halted highway driving following incidents where its robotaxis entered closed construction zones.
Evening Mobilization
Google Maps has resolved a traffic glitch, while a former Tesla manager has raised concerns about the safety of the company's Full Self-Driving technology, describing the vehicles as 'rolling hazards'.
Fired Tesla manager says Full Self-Driving cars were 'rolling hazards'
A former Tesla manager alleges that the company's Full Self-Driving vehicles were 'rolling hazards' and that safety operators overseeing its robotaxis were overextended. The claims were made in a new lawsuit against Tesla.
Three numbers from Tesla’s earnings call quietly puncture the robotaxi growth story
Despite Tesla's claims of rapid robotaxi expansion, recent earnings call data suggests a plateauing of miles driven and a potential contraction of the fleet. While CEO Elon Musk and AI lead Ashok Elluswamy highlighted progress and Tesla's camera-only approach, comparisons to Waymo's extensive mileage and evolving state regulations, particularly in New Jersey regarding sensor requirements, cast doubt on the robotaxi narrative. Key indicators to watch are the growth of Tesla's driverless fleet and the adoption of stricter sensor regulations by other states.
NTSB investigators confirm Tesla driver overrode Full Self-Driving system in fatal crash
Investigators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have confirmed that the driver of a Tesla involved in a fatal crash had overridden the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system. The NHTSA is continuing its investigation into the incident.
Waymo will soon go fully autonomous in four more cities
Waymo is expanding its fully autonomous driving services to four new cities: San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver. The company will remove human supervisors from operations in these locations as part of its expansion.
Morning Mobilization
SpaceX is planning to launch its Starlink mobile service in the United States. The article also mentions a fatal Tesla crash in Texas that is leading to a legal dispute, and briefly touches on e-book software.
Tesla in autopilot crashed into Texas home, killing one
A woman died after a Tesla vehicle, reportedly using an automated driving assistance system, crashed into a home in Katy, Texas. The incident is under investigation.
Saturday Mobilization
Chinese drivers are reportedly using small plastic heads to trick Tesla's Autopilot system into thinking a driver is present. This method allows them to bypass the vehicle's safety safeguards designed to ensure driver attention.
Waymo made a virtual human driver to improve its robotaxis
Waymo has developed a virtual driver named ReD to enhance the safety of its autonomous ride-hailing service. This AI-powered driver is designed to help Waymo's robotaxis anticipate and avoid potential accidents.
BYD is assuming financial liability if you crash while using its self-driving tech
BYD is demonstrating significant confidence in its self-driving technology by assuming financial liability for any accidents that occur while the system is in use. This move underscores the company's commitment to the safety and reliability of its autonomous driving features.
Tesla brings Full Self-Driving to China
Tesla has announced that its Full Self-Driving technology is now available in China, following a period of regulatory hurdles. This expansion marks a significant step for the company's autonomous driving ambitions in a key global market.
Evening Mobilization
New crash data indicates slow progress in Tesla's robotaxi development. The data highlights ongoing challenges and concerns surrounding the safety and reliability of the autonomous driving technology.
Elon Musk confirms that Tesla (TSLA) will never ship unsupervised FSD for Hardware 3 EVs
Elon Musk confirmed during Tesla's earnings call that the company will not ship unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software for its Hardware 3 electric vehicles. This statement clarifies Tesla's current stance on the autonomous driving technology.
Tesla is rolling out its Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston
Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston, Texas, with new service areas detailed on X. While the service initially launched in Austin with human supervision, Tesla has been transitioning to fully autonomous operation. This expansion places Tesla in direct competition with Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service in these markets.
The first European country to get Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised will be the Netherlands
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system has received regulatory approval in the Netherlands, marking its first European debut. The Dutch authority RDW confirmed the system passed extensive testing and concluded it could be a positive contribution to road safety, though emphasized the driver remains responsible. This approval paves the way for potential admittance in other European Union member states.