Autonomous Vehicles
Ongoing coverage on Autonomous Vehicles.
Latest coverage
Lyft is now offering Waymo rides in Nashville
Lyft is now offering fully autonomous rides from Waymo within Nashville. Customers can access these self-driving Waymo vehicles through the Lyft application.
Tesla (TSLA) Cybercab faces federal safety & compliance probe following Austin rollout
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab following its rollout in Austin, Texas. The probe will examine Tesla's self-certification of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, particularly concerning manual controls required under current regulations.
Tesla's Cybercab is under federal investigation almost immediately after hitting the streets
Tesla's Cybercab is facing a federal investigation shortly after its public release. Regulators will examine the process and data Tesla used for self-certifying the autonomous vehicle.
Tesla starts offering Cybercab robotaxi rides
Tesla has officially launched its autonomous vehicle, the Cybercab, which operates without a steering wheel. The company is now offering rides in these robotaxis.
Waymo robotaxi rides are now open to the public in Denver, San Diego and Tampa
Waymo has officially opened its robotaxi services to the public in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's rollout of autonomous ride-hailing technology.
Nevada allows Uber, Tesla and Waymo to start paid robotaxi service
Nevada's transportation authorities have approved Uber, Tesla, and Waymo to begin charging for robotaxi rides. This decision allows these companies to offer paid autonomous vehicle services within the state.
Waymo Ojai vans are now available for all riders in three cities
Waymo has officially launched its fully driverless van service to all riders in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's rollout of its autonomous ride-hailing technology.
Uber and Pony.ai Set Sights on 2,000 Robotaxis Across Europe
Uber and autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai have announced an expanded partnership aiming to deploy 2,000 robotaxis across four European cities. Pony.ai will provide the self-driving technology, while Uber will manage the ride-hailing platform. The specifics of timelines, locations, and vehicle ownership remain flexible, with a pilot program in Zagreb, Croatia, serving as a key indicator of future success.
Evening Mobilization
NVIDIA has announced that its Alpamayo 2 Super, a frontier open model designed for robotaxis and autonomous vehicles, is now available for commercial use. This development signifies a step forward in the commercialization of AI-powered transportation solutions.
Saturday Mobilization
A judge has ordered Waymo to cease overnight charging of its autonomous vehicles in Santa Monica due to noise complaints. This ruling impacts the company's operations in the city.
Morning Mobilization
Android phones will now automatically back up local documents to Google Drive. Separately, Zoox has begun charging passengers for rides in its new steering-wheel-free robotaxis, marking a significant step in autonomous vehicle services.
Amazon's Zoox is the first steering wheel-free robotaxi to get regulatory approval for paid rides
Amazon's autonomous vehicle company Zoox has received regulatory approval from the NHTSA to charge passengers for rides. This marks the first time an autonomous vehicle without manual driving controls has been granted permission for paid services.
Tesla teases Cybercab with a built-in Starlink V5 antenna
Tesla has teased its upcoming Cybercab design, which features an integrated SpaceX Starlink V5 antenna. This integration suggests a focus on connectivity for the autonomous vehicle.
Zoox issues software recall because its robotaxis may be confused by smoke
Zoox has issued a software recall for its robotaxis due to issues with how the vehicles respond to emergency situations, particularly smoke. This action follows a call from the NHTSA for autonomous vehicle companies to improve their emergency response protocols.
NHTSA calls out autonomous cars for interfering with first responders
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified a pattern of autonomous vehicles interfering with first responders. The agency is now demanding that autonomous vehicle manufacturers provide a solution to this issue.
Uber is no longer offering Waymo rides in Phoenix
Uber has ceased offering Waymo rides in Phoenix, signaling a potential shift towards utilizing its own autonomous vehicle fleet. This move suggests Uber may prioritize its internal driverless technology over external partnerships for future services.
Amazon Zoox's latest robotaxi looks (marginally) less like a toy car
Amazon-owned Zoox has unveiled its new autonomous vehicle, designed for large-scale production. This latest iteration of the robotaxi aims for a more refined appearance compared to previous models.
Morning Mobilization
Waymo is recalling over 3,800 of its self-driving robotaxis due to a software issue that could cause them to drive onto closed freeways. This recall impacts a significant portion of their fleet and highlights ongoing challenges in autonomous vehicle safety.
Waymo recalls over 3,800 robotaxis that might drive onto closed freeways
Waymo is recalling over 3,800 of its self-driving taxis due to a software issue. This issue could cause the vehicles to enter closed freeway construction zones at speed. The company is taking action to address this safety concern.
Police have yet to catch a thief who used a Waymo to steal yoga clothes
Police are investigating a theft where a Waymo autonomous vehicle was allegedly used by a thief to steal yoga clothing. This incident marks at least the second reported case of a robotaxi being involved in a criminal act.