Articles tagged with "self-driving-technology"
Waymo Moves Again, Partners With DoorDash - CleanTechnica
Waymo has announced a new partnership with DoorDash to begin autonomous vehicle deliveries in Phoenix, Arizona, the city where Waymo first launched its robotaxi service. Starting in the coming months, DoorDash customers in Metro Phoenix may opt into receiving deliveries via fully autonomous Waymo vehicles, initially focusing on orders from DashMart convenience and grocery stores, with plans to expand to more local merchants and product offerings over time. Customers will use the DoorDash app to select autonomous delivery and unlock the vehicle’s trunk upon arrival, enabling a contact-free delivery experience. This collaboration builds on Waymo’s established presence and safety record in Phoenix, where its autonomous vehicles have logged over 100 million miles and completed more than 10 million trips, reportedly driving more safely than the average American driver. Waymo emphasizes that this pilot approach—testing and gradually expanding—aligns with its strategy to scale its autonomous services responsibly. Additionally, DoorDash’s DashPass members can access promotional offers for Waymo’s ride-hailing service in
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymoDoorDashdelivery-robotsrobotaxiself-driving-technologyWaymo dips its wheels back into delivery, this time with DoorDash
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, is expanding its delivery experiments in Phoenix through a new multi-year partnership with DoorDash. While Waymo is primarily known for its robotaxi services, it has previously explored delivery via pilot programs with Uber Eats and self-driving trucks, though it discontinued the latter in 2023 to refocus on robotaxis. This latest collaboration will enable DoorDash customers within a 315-square-mile area of Phoenix to receive food and grocery deliveries from DashMart convenience stores using Waymo’s driverless Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. Initially limited to DashMart orders, the service aims to eventually include more local merchants and a broader range of products. The delivery process involves placing orders in the trunk of the autonomous vehicle, which then navigates to the customer’s location without a driver. Customers retrieve their items from the trunk via the DoorDash app, marking a critical test of whether autonomous delivery can match or surpass the convenience of traditional human handoffs. DoorDash brings prior autonomous experience
robotautonomous-vehiclesdelivery-robotsWaymoDoorDashself-driving-technologyurban-mobilityWaymo plans to launch a robotaxi service in London in 2026
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, announced plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service in London in 2026, marking its second international expansion after Tokyo. The service will initially deploy all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology. The rollout will begin with human safety drivers behind the wheel, progressing to driverless testing and eventually allowing the public to hail robotaxis. The timing of the fully driverless service depends on the UK government’s approval process. Waymo will partner with Moove, a fleet operations company already active in Phoenix, to manage the London fleet. This move builds on Waymo’s existing UK presence, including its 2019 acquisition of Oxbotica, a UK startup specializing in self-driving simulation technology, and the establishment of an engineering hub in Oxford. Waymo has expanded its robotaxi operations across multiple U.S. cities such as Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, often collaborating with partners like Uber to
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiself-driving-technologyelectric-vehiclesWaymotransportation-innovationHow AI is shaping the future of mobility with Uber’s CPO and Nuro’s co-founder at Techcrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27-29 in San Francisco, Uber’s Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal and Nuro’s co-founder Dave Ferguson will discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing mobility. Their session will focus on the integration of AI technologies such as predictive models and computer vision to enhance road safety, the role of last-mile delivery as a proving ground for autonomous systems, and the challenges involved in scaling AI-driven transportation solutions. This event offers a unique insider perspective on the rapidly evolving transportation industry and the future of intelligent mobility. Sachin Kansal leads Uber’s global Mobility and Delivery products, including initiatives in safety, sustainability, and autonomous vehicles, shaping the company’s strategy for the next decade of AI-powered transportation. Dave Ferguson, with a background in Google’s early self-driving program and Carnegie Mellon robotics research, brings deep expertise in robotics and autonomy through his work at Nuro, a company focused on scalable autonomous vehicles for robotaxis and commercial fleets. Together
robotautonomous-vehiclesAI-mobilityintelligent-transportationroboticsself-driving-technologysustainable-mobilityCoast-to-Coast Tesla Full Self-Driving Trip Comes With $22,000 Bill After ~60 Miles - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica recounts an attempted coast-to-coast trip using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which remains far from ready for fully autonomous long-distance driving despite Elon Musk’s 2016 promise of a 2017 coast-to-coast autonomous drive. A popular Tesla YouTuber, known as “Bearded Tesla Guy,” and his friend started a similar trip from San Diego to demonstrate FSD’s capabilities. However, about 60 miles into the journey, while driving at 75 mph with FSD engaged, their Tesla hit a metal ramp on the highway. The car did not brake or swerve to avoid the obstacle, resulting in significant damage including a broken front sway bar bracket and damage to the high-voltage battery. The incident led to a costly repair bill totaling $22,275.82. Tesla service technicians discovered a pre-existing battery cell issue and replaced the battery under warranty, a concession the article’s author doubts would be extended to
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslaenergy-storageelectric-vehiclesbattery-technologyself-driving-technologyWaymo is getting into the corporate travel business
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving vehicle company, has launched “Waymo for Business,” a new corporate travel service allowing companies to create accounts for their employees to access Waymo’s robotaxis in cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This service enables businesses to subsidize rides or purchase promo codes in bulk for employees, clients, or customers at the same rates as the regular consumer service. Companies gain control over ride programs through a business portal, where they can set geographic boundaries, designate pickup and drop-off locations, monitor ride activity, and manage budgets. One of the first corporate customers is Carvana, an online used car marketplace based in Phoenix. Waymo’s move into the corporate travel market marks its first coordinated commercial effort targeting organizations, building on the fact that nearly one in six local riders already use Waymo for commuting to work or school. The company plans to expand Waymo for Business to additional cities like Washington DC and Miami as it launches commercial operations there. Over the
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymorobotaxicorporate-travelself-driving-technologytransportation-technologyStep into the future: The full AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 in San Francisco, will showcase leading innovators and companies shaping the future of artificial intelligence across diverse domains such as generative AI, developer tools, autonomous vehicles, creative AI, and national security. Attendees, especially founders, will gain early insights into emerging technologies, strategic lessons, and firsthand knowledge from top AI teams including Character.AI, Hugging Face, Wayve, and others. The event features a comprehensive agenda with keynotes, breakouts, roundtables, and networking opportunities designed to explore AI’s evolving landscape in scaling, investing, and building. Highlights include discussions on the future of AI-driven search with Pinecone’s CEO Edo Liberty, the evolving AI infrastructure stack with Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf, and the practical impact of AI on software development led by JetBrains’ CEO Kirill Skrygan. Autonomous systems and physical AI will be explored by leaders from Wayve, Apptronik,
robotautonomous-vehiclesAIartificial-intelligenceself-driving-technologyhumanoid-robotsAI-innovationNvidia eyes $500M investment into self-driving tech startup Wayve
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited the UK with a commitment to invest £2 billion ($2.6 billion) to boost the country’s AI startup ecosystem, with a potential $500 million strategic investment targeted at Wayve, a UK-based self-driving technology startup. Wayve has signed a letter of intent with Nvidia to explore this investment as part of its next funding round, following Nvidia’s participation in Wayve’s $1.05 billion Series C round in May 2024. The investment is aligned with Nvidia’s broader AI startup funding initiative, which also involves venture capital firms like Accel and Balderton. Wayve is advancing its self-driving technology through a data-driven, self-learning approach that does not rely on high-definition maps, making it adaptable to existing vehicle sensors such as cameras and radar. Wayve’s autonomous driving platform, which has been developed in close collaboration with Nvidia since 2018, currently uses Nvidia GPUs in its Ford Mach E test vehicles. The company recently unveiled its third
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyNvidiaAImachine-learningautomotive-technologyTesla Sales Look Strong For 3rd Quarter, & Speculation On 4th Quarter - CleanTechnica
The article provides an update on Tesla's sales performance and outlook for the third and fourth quarters. For Q3, Tesla's sales in the U.S. are reported as very strong, with Chevrolet and Hyundai also performing well, while Ford lags due to lack of tax credit incentives. In Europe, sales face challenges from brand perception issues linked to Elon Musk's comments and increased competition from Chinese automakers, although availability of the new Model Y and Model Y Performance is improving. China shows surprisingly strong sales of refreshed Model Y and Model 3 models, aided by Tesla’s advanced technology and Full Self Driving (FSD) features, with the new Model YL particularly popular. Globally, Tesla is expanding into new markets but faces competition from more affordable Chinese brands. Overall, Q3 sales are predicted to reach a record 508,000 vehicles, surpassing the previous high of 495,507 in Q4 2024, representing a 10% increase year-over-year. Looking ahead to
energyTeslaelectric-vehiclesself-driving-technologyautomotive-salesclean-energyelectric-carsTesla Dojo: the rise and fall of Elon Musk’s AI supercomputer
Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer, once heralded by Elon Musk as a cornerstone of the company’s AI ambitions, has been officially shut down as of August 2025. Originally designed to train Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) neural networks and support autonomous vehicle and humanoid robot development, Dojo was central to Musk’s vision of Tesla as more than just an automaker. Despite years of hype and investment, the project was abruptly ended after Tesla decided that its second-generation Dojo 2 supercluster, based on in-house D2 chips, was “an evolutionary dead end.” This decision came shortly after Tesla signed a deal to source next-generation AI6 chips from Samsung, signaling a strategic pivot away from self-reliant hardware development toward leveraging external partners for chip design. The shutdown also involved disbanding the Dojo team and the departure of key personnel, including project lead Peter Bannon and about 20 employees who left to start their own AI chip company, DensityAI
robotAIautonomous-vehiclesTeslasupercomputerself-driving-technologysemiconductorTesla Full Self Driving (Supervised) Launches in Australia to Overwhelmingly Positive Response - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the recent launch of Tesla's Full Self Driving (Supervised) (FSDS) feature in Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the overwhelmingly positive media and public response in these right-hand drive markets. Contrary to expectations of skepticism from Australian media—often critical of electric vehicles and Tesla—the coverage, particularly by Channel 7’s “Sunrise” program, has been notably favorable. The article notes that Australia lacks a domestic auto industry and competing self-driving technologies like Waymo, making Tesla’s FSDS currently the primary autonomous driving system available in the region. While BYD’s “God’s Eye” semi-autonomous system is expected to debut in Australia later in 2025, its advanced features are not yet approved or operational there. The author reflects on the long wait and high anticipation for Tesla vehicles and autonomous capabilities in Australia, dating back to 2016 when the Model 3 was first ordered and the 2018 launch event where customers queued to briefly experience the car. Despite early
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslaself-driving-technologyAIautomotive-technologyelectric-vehiclesTesla FSD Is Deeply Unpopular, Survey Shows - CleanTechnica
A recent survey of over 8,000 U.S. consumers reveals significant skepticism and negativity toward Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Nearly half of respondents believe FSD should be illegal, and twice as many consumers say FSD features make them less likely to buy a Tesla than those who say it makes them more likely. Support for stricter regulation and legal accountability of autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturers is strong, with many consumers demanding that companies be held responsible for accidents and that advertising and safety standards be tightened. Additionally, 70% of Americans prefer AVs to use both LiDAR and cameras for navigation, contrasting sharply with Tesla’s camera-only approach, which only 3% support. Tesla’s brand perception has also declined, with trust and positivity hitting new lows amid growing safety concerns and a sense of “FSD and Musk fatigue.” Elon Musk’s optimistic claims about upcoming FSD versions being multiple times better than human drivers have been met with skepticism, especially given his history
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-FSDLiDARself-driving-technologyautomotive-safetyAI-driving-systemsNuro closes $203M to propel AI-first self-driving tech, commercial partnerships - The Robot Report
Nuro Inc., a Mountain View-based autonomous vehicle company, has closed a $203 million Series E funding round at a $6 billion valuation. The capital will be used to scale its AI-first autonomous driving technology and expand commercial partnerships. Founded in 2016, Nuro combines advanced artificial intelligence with automotive-grade hardware to offer its Nuro Driver system, which supports applications including robotaxis, commercial fleets, and personally owned vehicles. The company has deployed its autonomous vehicles at city scale without safety drivers across multiple U.S. states and internationally, including a recent test fleet in Japan. Key commercial partnerships highlighted include a collaboration with Lucid and Uber to launch a next-generation ride-hailing service, aiming to deploy over 20,000 Lucid vehicles integrated with Nuro Driver starting in 2026. Uber also invested in Nuro as part of this funding round, contingent on meeting development milestones. Investors in the round include returning backers Baillie Gifford and NVIDIA—whose DRIVE AGX
robotautonomous-vehiclesAIself-driving-technologyNuroNVIDIAcommercial-partnershipsNvidia is latest investor to back AV startup Nuro in $203M funding round
Nvidia has joined a group of new investors backing autonomous vehicle startup Nuro in a $203 million Series E funding round. The round includes $97 million from new investors such as Icehouse Ventures, Kindred Ventures, Nvidia, and Pledge Ventures, alongside existing backer Baillie Gifford. Uber also participated, contributing a “multi-hundred-million dollar” investment as part of a broader partnership involving electric car maker Lucid. Nvidia’s involvement follows years of technical collaboration, with Nuro utilizing Nvidia GPUs and the Drive AGX Thor platform for its self-driving software development. The total Series E funding includes an earlier $106 million tranche announced in April, bringing Nuro’s total raised capital to $2.3 billion with a post-money valuation of $6 billion—a 30% decrease from its $8.6 billion valuation in 2021. Nuro has undergone significant strategic shifts amid challenging economic conditions and industry consolidation. After layoffs in 2022 and 2023,
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyNvidiaelectric-vehiclesAImobilityElon Musk confirms shutdown of Tesla Dojo, ‘an evolutionary dead end’
Elon Musk has confirmed the shutdown of Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer project, describing it as “an evolutionary dead end” after the company decided to consolidate its AI chip development efforts. Initially, Tesla developed the first Dojo supercomputer using a combination of Nvidia GPUs and in-house D1 chips, with plans for a second-generation Dojo 2 powered by a D2 chip. However, Tesla has shelved the D2 chip and the broader Dojo 2 project to focus resources on its AI5 and AI6 chips. The AI5 chip is designed primarily for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, while the AI6 chip aims to support both onboard inference for autonomous driving and humanoid robots, as well as large-scale AI training. Musk explained that it makes more sense to integrate many AI5/AI6 chips on a single board to reduce network complexity and costs, a configuration he referred to as “Dojo 3.” This strategic pivot reflects Tesla’s
robotAI-chipsTesla-Dojoautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyAI-traininghumanoid-robotsFederal regulators give Zoox an exemption for its custom-built robotaxis
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, an exemption to demonstrate its custom-built robotaxis on public roads, resolving a prior investigation into whether Zoox had circumvented federal motor vehicle safety standards. These standards typically require vehicles to have manual controls such as steering wheels and pedals, which Zoox’s autonomous vehicles lack. Zoox had self-certified compliance in 2022, but NHTSA questioned this and launched an investigation in March 2023. Despite the probe, Zoox continued testing its vehicles—without traditional controls—near its Fremont, California headquarters and expanded testing to other locations, including limited rides for employees and early public riders in Las Vegas. The exemption allows Zoox to demonstrate but not yet commercially operate its robotaxis. This decision aligns with NHTSA’s new national framework, the ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency and Evaluation Program, designed to streamline the approval process for autonomous vehicles lacking manual controls. The framework facilitates
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxisZooxNHTSA-exemptionvehicle-safety-standardsself-driving-technologyTesla Shareholders Sue Elon Musk Over Autopilot & FSD Failures - CleanTechnica
Several Tesla shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit against Tesla and Elon Musk, alleging that the company repeatedly overstated the capabilities and readiness of its autonomous driving technology, including the Full Self Driving (FSD) system and Robotaxi service. The suit, filed in federal court in Texas on August 4, 2025, claims these exaggerations were intended to inflate Tesla’s stock price, constituting a "pump and dump" fraud scheme. The lawsuit also names former CFO Zachary Kirkhorn and current CFO Vaibhav Taneja as defendants, accusing Tesla of misleading investors and failing to disclose significant risks and operational problems with its autonomous vehicles. The controversy intensified following the launch of Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, where the vehicles demonstrated unsafe behaviors such as driving in oncoming traffic lanes and dropping passengers in hazardous locations, despite having human safety drivers onboard. Elon Musk had previously asserted that Tesla’s autonomous system could operate safely even in unmapped areas, contrasting with competitors like Uber and
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslaself-driving-technologyRobotaxiautomotive-technologyelectric-vehiclesLyft and China’s Baidu look to bring robotaxis to Europe next year
Lyft has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese tech giant Baidu to bring Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to several European markets, targeting launches in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Baidu’s RT6 robotaxis, equipped with its Apollo Go self-driving system, will be integrated into Lyft’s ride-hailing app, exemplifying Lyft’s “hybrid network approach” that combines autonomous vehicles (AVs) with human drivers to enhance rider options. This move marks a significant expansion for Lyft, which has historically focused on the U.S. market. Earlier in 2025, Lyft entered the European market by acquiring the German multi-mobility app FREENOW from BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, enabling its expansion beyond the U.S. and Canada. Lyft and Uber, both having discontinued their internal autonomous vehicle programs, are now competing to form partnerships with AV technology companies like Baidu. While Uber has partnered with over 18 companies to develop its robot
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxisLyftBaiduself-driving-technologytransportation-innovationMiami Jury Finds Tesla Liable For Deadly Crash — Awards $329 Million In Damages - CleanTechnica
A Miami jury found Tesla partially liable for a deadly 2019 crash involving a 2019 Tesla Model S driven by George McGee, who had activated the Autopilot system but was manually accelerating and distracted by searching for his phone when the vehicle ran a stop-controlled T intersection. The Tesla crashed into a Chevy Tahoe, which then struck two pedestrians, killing one and severely injuring the other. The estate of the deceased sued Tesla, arguing that the Autopilot system failed to slow or stop the car at the intersection. Tesla countered that once the driver manually accelerated, many of Autopilot’s safety features were overridden and placed full blame on the driver’s negligence. After a two-week trial, the jury apportioned fault as two-thirds to the driver and one-third to Tesla, awarding $129 million in actual damages plus $200 million in punitive damages, totaling $329 million. The punitive damages were intended to punish Tesla for allegedly misleading marketing and unsafe deployment of Autopilot beyond controlled
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Autopilotself-driving-technologyautomotive-safetyAI-in-transportationdriver-assistance-systemsTesla partly liable in Florida Autopilot trial, jury awards $200M in damages
A federal jury in Miami found Tesla partly liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot driver assistance system, assigning one-third of the blame to Tesla and two-thirds to the driver. The crash occurred when neither the driver nor Autopilot braked in time at an intersection, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severe injury to her boyfriend. The jury awarded approximately $242.5 million in total damages, including punitive damages solely against Tesla. This verdict marks one of the first major legal rulings against Tesla regarding its Autopilot technology, which the company has previously addressed through settlements. Plaintiffs' lead attorney criticized Tesla for marketing Autopilot as suitable beyond controlled-access highways without restricting its use, accusing the company and Elon Musk of fostering overconfidence in the system that endangered lives. Tesla announced plans to appeal, arguing the verdict was legally flawed and that no vehicle in 2019 could have prevented the crash, emphasizing that the
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Autopilotdriver-assistance-systemsautomotive-safetyself-driving-technologylegal-liabilityTesla partly liable in Florida Autopilot trial, jury awards $329M in damages
A Miami federal jury found Tesla partly liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot driver assistance system, awarding $329 million in punitive and compensatory damages to the plaintiffs. The crash occurred when neither the driver nor Autopilot braked in time at an intersection, resulting in a collision that killed 20-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured her boyfriend. The jury assigned two-thirds of the blame to the driver and one-third to Tesla. This verdict marks one of the first major legal rulings against Tesla regarding Autopilot, a technology the company has previously defended or settled related lawsuits over. Plaintiffs’ lead attorney Brett Schreiber criticized Tesla for designing Autopilot primarily for controlled highways but allowing its use elsewhere, coupled with Elon Musk’s public claims that Autopilot outperforms human drivers. Schreiber argued Tesla’s misleading promotion of the system endangered users and contributed to the fatal crash. Tesla announced plans to appeal the verdict, calling it legally
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Autopilotdriver-assistance-systemsautomotive-safetyself-driving-technologylegal-liabilityRobotaxi Updates from China - CleanTechnica
The article provides updates on robotaxi developments in China, focusing on Pony AI and Tesla. Pony AI has expanded its robotaxi testing to operate 24/7 in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, extending beyond the previous 7:00 am to 11:00 pm schedule. This move aims to improve transportation options during nighttime hours when human-driven services are limited and more costly. Pony AI recently began mass production and road testing of its seventh-generation autonomous driving system, which features a 70% cost reduction compared to its predecessor. The company plans to deploy over 1,000 robotaxis by the end of 2025. Tesla is preparing to introduce a supervised driver-assistance system—though not full self-driving (FSD)—in China and Europe, pending regulatory approval. The rollout has been delayed due to stricter regulations and the need to adapt to local road rules and cultural norms. Tesla’s driver-assist features have performed well in recent tests comparing EV models in China, and many
roboticsautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiPony-AITeslaself-driving-technologyChina-transportationLyft to add autonomous shuttles in 2026 as Uber inks more self-driving deals
Lyft announced it will introduce autonomous shuttles manufactured by the Austrian company Benteler Group under its Holon brand to its network in late 2026. These shuttles, designed without steering wheels or pedals, will accommodate up to nine seated and six standing passengers with inward-facing seats. Initially, the deployment will focus on partnerships with U.S. cities and airports, with potential expansion depending on the program's success. The shuttles utilize Mobileye’s autonomous driving technology, although this collaboration is separate from Lyft’s other ongoing partnerships with autonomy providers. Meanwhile, Lyft’s main competitor, Uber, is aggressively expanding its autonomous vehicle offerings by incorporating robotaxis from multiple companies such as Waymo, WeRide, Baidu, Pony AI, and others across various global cities. Uber recently secured deals with Nuro and Lucid Motors as well. Despite years of testing, Lyft has yet to fully integrate autonomous vehicles into its fleet but plans to launch AV services using May Mobility vehicles in Atlanta later this
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologymobilitytransportation-innovationAIelectric-vehiclesTesla is reportedly bringing a limited version of its robotaxi service to San Francisco
Tesla is set to introduce a limited version of its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend, following an initial rollout in Austin, Texas. The service will include a driver in the driver’s seat due to the lack of proper permits for fully driverless operation in California, and it remains unclear whether Tesla has obtained the necessary Public Utilities Commission approval to offer rides to the general public, as current permissions only allow rides for employees. Tesla plans to invite Tesla owners to test the service while pursuing regulatory approval in California amid ongoing legal challenges related to the company’s self-driving claims and safety concerns. The Austin rollout, which began in June 2025, operates with safety operators in the front passenger seat and is limited to downtown areas and main corridors, far from the fully autonomous vision CEO Elon Musk has long promoted. Musk has also indicated plans to expand the service to Florida and Arizona, where Tesla has started the certification process to test and operate robotaxis both with and without drivers. Despite years of development and bold
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-technologytransportation-technologydriver-assistance-systemsHow AV developers use virtual driving simulations to stress-test adverse weather - The Robot Report
The article discusses the significant challenges adverse weather conditions pose to autonomous vehicle (AV) systems, highlighting that rain, snow, fog, glare, and varying road surfaces can severely distort sensor inputs and decision-making processes. While AV technologies have advanced in ideal conditions, real-world environments with bad weather introduce complex disruptions that traditional training data often fail to address. Each sensor type—cameras, lidar, and radar—faces unique vulnerabilities: cameras suffer from obscured vision and noise, lidar can be affected by precipitation scattering laser beams, and radar, despite better penetration through fog and rain, experiences reduced resolution and clutter. When multiple sensors degrade simultaneously, overall system performance deteriorates sharply. These sensor challenges lead to perception and prediction failures, where objects may be missed or misclassified, and behavioral predictions become unreliable due to altered pedestrian and vehicle behaviors in bad weather. Such failures can cascade into unsafe planning and control decisions by the AV. Real-world incidents have demonstrated AV prototypes disengaging or misbehaving in adverse weather,
robotautonomous-vehiclessensor-fusionvirtual-simulationadverse-weather-testingperception-systemsself-driving-technologyUber, Lucid, & Nuro Join Forces To Create Robotaxis - CleanTechnica
Uber has announced a new partnership with electric vehicle maker Lucid and autonomous driving technology company Nuro to develop and deploy robotaxis in major U.S. cities starting in 2026. The collaboration aims to introduce up to 20,000 Lucid Gravity electric vehicles equipped with Nuro’s Level 4 self-driving system into Uber’s ride-hailing fleet over the next six years. These vehicles will be owned and operated by Uber or third-party fleet partners and exclusively accessible through the Uber platform. This initiative marks Uber’s renewed commitment to robotaxis after a fatal accident involving one of its prototypes in 2018, with the company planning to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the partnership. The Lucid Gravity is particularly suited for robotaxi service due to its 450-mile range, which reduces downtime for charging and increases operational efficiency. Nuro’s AI-first autonomous system, proven through years of driverless deployments, will be integrated with Lucid’s advanced vehicle architecture, which features fully redundant zonal
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiselectric-carsself-driving-technologyUberLucid-Motors20,000 Lucid Robotaxis for Uber? - CleanTechnica
Uber has announced a partnership with Lucid Motors and Nuro to deploy over 20,000 robotaxis across multiple markets within the next six years. These autonomous vehicles will be Lucid cars equipped with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving software, the Nuro Driver™ system. Uber or its third-party partners will own the vehicles, and the collaboration aims to leverage Uber’s extensive user base of approximately 150 million app users to accelerate adoption of robotaxi services. A prototype combining Lucid’s vehicle platform and Nuro’s autonomous technology is already operational on a closed circuit at Nuro’s Las Vegas testing facility. The partnership involves significant financial commitments from Uber, including multi-hundred-million dollar investments in both Lucid and Nuro, signaling a strategic move to deepen its presence in the autonomous vehicle market. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized the transformative potential of autonomous vehicles for urban mobility, while Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff highlighted the company’s advanced vehicle architecture and suitability for
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiself-driving-technologyUberLucid-MotorsNuroTesla Autopilot Crash Trial — Highlights from Opening Days - CleanTechnica
The trial in Florida concerning a fatal crash involving a Tesla vehicle operating on Autopilot began on July 14. The case centers on the claim by the estate of Benavides Leon, a bystander who died in the crash, that Tesla’s Autopilot system malfunctioned and was a proximate cause of the incident. Over the first three days, testimonies were heard from emergency responders, a Florida Highway Patrol officer, and an expert statistician, alongside depositions from a Tesla Autopilot firmware engineer. Notably, Corporal David Riso, the lead investigator, testified that Tesla did not provide the autonomous driving data from the vehicle, with a technician claiming the file was corrupted—a statement Riso disputed as untrue. Expert witness Dr. Mendel Singer criticized Tesla’s Vehicle Safety Report, highlighting a lack of independent validation and discrepancies in how Tesla counts crashes compared to non-Tesla vehicles. He pointed out that Tesla’s data incorrectly lumps all vehicle types together and that the company
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Autopilotself-driving-technologyvehicle-safetyautomotive-roboticsAI-in-transportationLucid, Nuro, Uber team up on global robotaxi fleet
Lucid Group, Nuro, and Uber have partnered to launch a global robotaxi program exclusively available through the Uber app, with plans to debut the first service in a major U.S. city by next year. Uber intends to deploy over 20,000 Lucid electric Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s SAE Level 4 autonomous driving system, the Nuro Driver, over six years across dozens of markets worldwide. These vehicles will be owned and operated by Uber or its third-party fleet partners. Uber is investing several hundred million dollars into both Lucid and Nuro as part of the collaboration. This partnership reflects Uber’s strategic shift from developing its own autonomous vehicle division to collaborating with third-party developers, allowing it to leverage its large user base while mitigating technical risks. Nuro, valued at $6 billion following a recent $106 million Series E funding round, provides advanced autonomous driving technology combining automotive-grade hardware and self-driving software. The company is currently focusing on expanding operations in Mountain View, California
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxielectric-vehiclesself-driving-technologymobilitytransportation-innovationBaidu & Uber Partner to Launch Thousands of Robotaxis - CleanTechnica
Uber is strengthening its position in the autonomous vehicle market by partnering with Baidu, a leading Chinese self-driving technology and search-engine company, to launch thousands of Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxis through the Uber platform. This multi-year collaboration will initially roll out in select Asian and Middle Eastern markets before the end of the year, marking a significant global expansion for Baidu’s autonomous driving technology. Apollo Go’s sixth-generation robotaxis have already provided over 11 million rides across 15 cities, with more than 1,000 vehicles currently in operation. Baidu’s CEO Robin Li emphasized the partnership as a major milestone in scaling autonomous driving technology worldwide. The company is also expanding its presence into Europe, with plans to launch services in Switzerland and establish an office there. This move aligns with Uber’s broader strategy of exclusive partnerships with leading robotaxi providers—such as Waymo in Austin and WeRide in other cities—to maintain its competitive edge as the ride-hailing industry transitions toward fully autonomous transportation.
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiBaiduUberself-driving-technologytransportation-innovationEx-Waymo engineers launch Bedrock Robotics with $80M to automate construction
Bedrock Robotics, a startup founded by former Waymo and Segment engineers, has emerged publicly after more than a year of quiet development, announcing an $80 million funding round led by Eclipse and 8VC. The company is developing a retrofit self-driving kit designed to automate construction and other worksite vehicles by upgrading existing fleets with sensors, computing power, and AI that can understand project goals, adapt to changing conditions, and operate continuously. The leadership team includes CEO Stefan Sofman, known for his previous roles at Waymo’s self-driving trucks program and as co-founder of Anki Robotics, alongside CTO Kevin Petersen and VPs Ajay Gummalla and Tom Eliaz. Bedrock Robotics joins a growing field of startups applying autonomous vehicle technology to off-road environments such as construction, mining, and industrial sites. The company is currently testing its technology in multiple states—Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, and California—with five construction firms including Sundt Construction and Zachry Construction Corporation. This move reflects a
roboticsautonomous-vehiclesconstruction-automationself-driving-technologyAI-in-constructionoff-road-autonomyrobotics-startupsEuropean Authorities Push Back On Tesla FSD - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the controversy surrounding Tesla's Full Self Driving (FSD) feature, particularly in Europe, where regulatory authorities are pushing back against Tesla's marketing and operational claims. Tesla markets FSD as a system requiring drivers to remain attentive, keep their hands on the wheel, and be ready to take control at any moment, which contrasts with many consumers' expectations of a fully autonomous driving experience. French authorities, specifically the DGCCRF, have found Tesla guilty of "deceptive commercial practices" related to FSD and other business practices, including issues with sales contracts and refund delays. Tesla has been given four months to address these concerns or face a daily fine of €50,000. The article also highlights Tesla's broader challenges in Europe, including stiff competition from European automakers and Chinese imports, as well as negative public perception linked to Elon Musk's controversial political activities. Musk is actively pressuring European regulators to approve FSD at a higher autonomy level, which would allow drivers to remove their
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslaself-driving-technologyautomotive-technologyAI-in-transportationregulatory-complianceMusk targets June 22 launch of Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi service
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company aims to launch its long-promised robotaxi service offering public rides in fully driverless Tesla vehicles in Austin, Texas, starting June 22, 2025. However, Musk noted the date could change due to Tesla’s cautious approach to safety. The initial fleet will be small, around 10 vehicles, and geofenced to the safest parts of Austin. Recent sightings of Tesla Model Y SUVs operating without drivers in the seat indicate ongoing testing of the new "unsupervised" Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which Musk claims enables Teslas to drive without human supervision. This launch marks a significant shift from Musk’s earlier promises of a general-purpose, fully autonomous driving system available nationwide. Instead, Tesla is adopting a more localized, cautious rollout strategy similar to Waymo’s approach. Despite Musk’s claim that every new Tesla is now capable of unsupervised driving, this contrasts with his 2016 statement that all Teslas had the
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-technologyFull-Self-Drivingdriverless-carsTesla Moves To Block City Of Austin From Releasing Robotaxi Information - CleanTechnica
Tesla plans to launch a robotaxi service using its Full Self Driving (FSD) technology on public roads in Austin, Texas, starting June 10. However, the company is aggressively seeking to keep details about this trial confidential. Tesla has requested a federal judge to block the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from releasing crash data related to its Autopilot and FSD systems. Additionally, Tesla is pressuring the city of Austin and the Texas Attorney General’s office to withhold information about the robotaxi trial, citing concerns over revealing proprietary and competitively sensitive details such as deployment procedures and operational strategies. Despite public interest, specifics like the exact streets where the geofenced robotaxis will operate remain undisclosed. Tesla’s efforts to maintain secrecy extend beyond Austin, reflecting a broader pattern of limiting transparency about its autonomous driving technology. This includes influencing federal transportation authorities to reduce reporting requirements for robotaxi-related incidents, thereby minimizing public access to safety data. Critics argue that Tesla’s approach prioritizes corporate interests and secrecy over public safety and informed consent, especially given past incidents where Tesla vehicles operating in FSD mode have been involved in crashes, including fatal ones. The ongoing dispute highlights tensions between innovation, regulatory oversight, and the public’s right to information about emerging autonomous vehicle technologies.
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-technologytransportation-technologyAI-roboticsZoox issues second robotaxi software recall in a month following collision
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclessoftware-recallself-driving-technologyZooxcollision-safetyAmazon’s Zoox to start testing AVs in Atlanta, following Waymo
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyrobotaxiZooxWaymotransportation-technologyWaymo updates 1,200+ robotaxis in software recall
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymoself-driving-technologyvehicle-safetytransportation-technologyAurora to add night driving, new routes as it ramps driverless trucking
robotautonomous-vehiclesdriverless-truckingAurora-Innovationfreight-transportationself-driving-technologynight-drivingAmazon-owned Zoox issues recall following robotaxi crash
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiZooxself-driving-technologyvehicle-safetytransportation-technologyWaymo ramps up robotaxi production at new Arizona factory
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymoelectric-vehiclesmanufacturingself-driving-technologyAurora begins driverless commercial trucking in Texas
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologycommercial-truckingfreight-transportationAurora-Driverdriverless-trucksUber’s latest autonomous vehicle partner? Chinese startup Momenta
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyride-hailingpartnershipstransportationmobilityMay Mobility to launch robotaxis on Uber platform this year in Texas
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