Autonomous Driving
Ongoing coverage on Autonomous Driving.
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Morning Mobilization
Tesla has admitted that its robotaxi service occasionally utilizes remote human operators to control vehicles. This revelation follows reports of a robotaxi outage in China that left passengers stranded on highways, highlighting potential issues with the autonomous system.
Tesla's robotaxis are reportedly remotely driven by humans, sometimes
Tesla has admitted that its robotaxis are sometimes remotely operated by human intervention when software encounters rare issues. Operators can temporarily assume direct control at low speeds as a final escalation maneuver. This approach differs from competitors like Waymo, which use human assistance for context rather than direct driving.
Evening Mobilization
Tesla is experiencing significant departures among its autonomous driving engineers, raising questions about the future of its driverless technology development. The exodus of key personnel suggests potential challenges in achieving the company's ambitious self-driving goals.
Uber and Pony.ai are testing a robotaxi service for Europe
Uber and Pony.ai are testing a robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, utilizing BAIC Motor's Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles equipped with Pony.ai's autonomous driving system. The service will initially be available on Verne's app before integrating with Uber, with plans to expand to other European cities and eventually deploy thousands of robotaxis globally. This initiative is part of Uber's broader strategy to increase driverless ride offerings, including other partnerships and pilot programs in Tokyo and Las Vegas.
The Afeela 1 came too late and now is gone too soon
Sony Honda Mobility has officially canceled the Afeela 1 electric vehicle, originally revealed as the Sony Vision S six years ago. The project faced numerous challenges including a high price point, outdated technology compared to competitors, shifting political landscapes around EVs, and a lack of significant advancements in autonomous driving. Honda's withdrawal from the partnership also contributed to the cancellation, leaving the future of Sony's automotive ambitions uncertain.
Rivian's R2 EV arrives this spring with a $58,000 price tag
Rivian has announced full pricing and trim levels for its upcoming R2 electric SUV, with the first premium models starting at $57,990 and expected to arrive in Spring 2026. The base model, priced at $45,000, is not anticipated until late 2027. The R2 will feature standard NACS charging ports and Autonomy+ hardware, with subscription options for the enhanced driving technology.