The accelerator is on the floor for autonomous vehicles

The article highlights the rapid advancements and growing deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, particularly robotaxis, across multiple U.S. cities. Waymo has begun operations with safety monitors in Philadelphia and plans manual data collection drives in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. Uber and Avride have launched robotaxi services with human safety operators, while California’s DMV has updated regulations to permit testing and eventual deployment of self-driving trucks on public highways. Despite this momentum, the technology faces scrutiny due to safety concerns, including investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Waymo’s interactions with school buses and a fatal incident involving a Waymo robotaxi and a cat named KitKat, which has drawn public criticism and media attention. The article also touches on significant leadership changes at Lucid Motors amid its production ramp-up of the Gravity SUV, with several top executives and senior managers departing, prompting internal promotions and new hires. In the electric aviation sector, Beta Technologies is securing a promising supplier deal with Eve Air