Articles tagged with "smart-transportation"
Autonomously Navigating the Real World: Lessons from the PG&E Outage - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica details how Waymo’s autonomous driving technology responded during a major PG&E power outage that affected nearly one-third of San Francisco, causing widespread traffic signal failures and severe congestion. During the outage, many traffic lights went dark, forcing law enforcement to manually manage intersections and prompting city officials to advise residents to stay home. Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, which treat dark signals as four-way stops, encountered a surge in confirmation requests to ensure safe navigation, leading to response delays and contributing to traffic congestion. To avoid exacerbating the situation, Waymo temporarily paused its service in the affected area and directed its fleet to park safely, allowing emergency responders to operate more freely. In response to the challenges faced, Waymo is implementing several improvements. These include fleet-wide software updates that provide vehicles with specific outage context to enable more decisive navigation at dark signals, enhanced emergency preparedness protocols developed in coordination with city officials, and expanded training for first responders on interacting with autonomous vehicles. The company emphasizes its
robotautonomous-vehiclesenergy-outagesmart-transportationtraffic-managementemergency-responseIoT-integrationArcfox & Deepal Get China's First L3 Autonomous Driving License Plates - CleanTechnica
China has issued its first Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving license plates, marking a significant step in the country's adoption of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The initial issuance includes four license plates: one to Deepal in Chongqing (plate 渝AD0001Z) on December 20, and three to Arcfox, a sub-brand of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), in Beijing (plates 京AA0001Z, 京AA0733Z, and 京AA0880Z). These L3 autonomous driving capabilities are currently restricted to specific highways and expressways in these cities, with the technology deactivated outside these designated zones. This development follows China's existing system of green license plates for electric vehicles, now expanded to identify vehicles equipped with L3 autonomous driving technology. While the rollout is currently limited, other automakers who have received L3 autonomous driving permits are expected to begin receiving their own specialized license plates soon. The initiative reflects China's cautious but progressive approach to integrating autonomous driving
autonomous-vehiclesL3-autonomous-drivingelectric-vehiclessmart-transportationautomotive-technologyBeijing-Automotive-GroupChina-smart-license-platesWaymo Tries to Pull in More Riders with Mariah Mode - CleanTechnica
Waymo has launched a special holiday-themed promotion called "Mariah Mode" in collaboration with Mariah Carey, aiming to enhance rider experience and attract more users during the festive season. Available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, this limited-edition offering features Waymo vehicles wrapped in custom Mariah Carey holiday designs. Riders can unlock an exclusive in-car experience by redeeming promo codes—MARIAH for first-time users and MARIAHMODE for returning riders—via the Waymo app. The experience includes Mariah-themed wallpaper, a holiday greeting from Mariah Carey, and a curated holiday music mix. Additionally, all Waymo riders, regardless of whether they use the Mariah-wrapped cars, will hear a special holiday greeting from Mariah Carey upon entering the vehicle. To fully enjoy the experience, riders need to redeem the promo code in the app’s "Offers & Promotions" section, disable autoplay music, and hail their ride. Those with connected Spotify or YouTube Music accounts
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymoride-hailingsmart-transportationAImobility-technologyWaymo suspends service in San Francisco as robotaxis stall during blackout
Waymo suspended its robotaxi service in San Francisco on the evening of December 20, 2025, following a widespread blackout that caused many of its autonomous vehicles to stall on city streets. Social media posts showed Waymo vehicles stuck at intersections while human drivers navigated around them. The blackout, reportedly caused by a fire at a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) substation, led to the failure of traffic lights and disruption of public transit, prompting San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to advise residents to avoid travel unless necessary. Approximately 120,000 PG&E customers were affected, with 35,000 still without power the following morning. Waymo spokesperson Suzanne Philion confirmed the temporary suspension of services and stated that the company was working closely with city officials to monitor infrastructure stability, aiming to resume operations soon. While Waymo did not specify why the blackout had such a significant impact on its vehicles, speculation included the loss of traffic signals and potential interruptions to the company’s communication or navigation systems
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiblackout-impactenergy-outagesmart-transportationWaymoWaymo launching driverless robotaxis in 5 more cities
Waymo is expanding its driverless robotaxi services by removing human safety drivers in Miami starting immediately and plans to do the same in four additional cities over the coming weeks. Initially, these fully autonomous rides will be available only to Waymo employees, with public access expected to begin in 2026. This expansion doubles the number of cities where Waymo operates without human specialists in the vehicle, reflecting advancements in their AI, hardware, and operational safety. To date, Waymo’s robotaxis have driven over 100 million fully autonomous miles and completed more than 10 million paid rides, currently providing over 250,000 rides per week. In 2025, Waymo has broadened its service conditions by enabling robotaxi rides on freeways in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, and expanded its coverage in the Bay Area to include San Jose and airport curbside service. The company is also testing operations in challenging environments such as New York City, Washington, D.C.,
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiAIWaymodriverless-technologysmart-transportationTechCrunch Mobility: Everything said on, and off, the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The article provides a comprehensive overview of key discussions and developments at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, focusing on the future of transportation. Notable industry leaders such as Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Slate CEO Chris Barman, Nuro co-CEO Dave Ferguson, Uber CPO Sachin Kansal, Wayve CEO Alex Kendall, and Kodiak AI CEO Don Burnette shared insights on autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, and ecosystem innovation. A highlight includes Slate’s approach to vehicle customization, where the company plans to openly share data for accessories, allowing owners and third parties to 3D print and sell parts independently, fostering an open marketplace with optional fees for sales through Slate’s platform. Additional event highlights include San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie welcoming Waymo and other mobility companies to the city, and the announcement of Glīd as a transportation-focused competition winner. Waymo’s Mawakana emphasized the need for greater industry responsibility on safety and privacy, noting the company’s refusal
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vehicleselectric-vehiclessmart-transportation3D-printingdata-sharingIntrCity SmartBus lands $30M at $140M valuation to deepen its grip on India’s intercity travel market
IntrCity SmartBus, a tech-enabled intercity bus platform based in Noida, India, has raised $30 million in an all-equity Series D funding round led by A91 Partners, valuing the company at $140 million post-money. The startup aims to expand its network across smaller cities and towns in India, capitalizing on the growing intercity travel demand driven by migration from smaller towns to metropolitan areas. With India’s national highway network having expanded significantly over the past decade and railways facing capacity constraints, long-distance road travel has become a vital alternative. IntrCity SmartBus addresses gaps in state-run bus services by partnering with local bus owners and equipping their vehicles with proprietary hardware for real-time tracking, centralized ticketing, and data-driven route planning. Founded in 2019 initially as an online train ticketing platform under RailYatri, IntrCity SmartBus now generates 90% of its revenue from its bus operations, which run about 600 daily trips transporting 20,
IoTsmart-transportationreal-time-trackingcloud-connected-systemsdigital-platformintercity-travelmobility-technologyTechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Day 3
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 concluded its third and final day at Moscone West in San Francisco with a dynamic agenda featuring prominent industry leaders and innovators. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with influential figures such as Rohit Patel from Meta Superintelligence Labs, Kirsten Green of Forerunner, and NBA Champion turned fintech entrepreneur Tristan Thompson. The day’s highlights included the much-anticipated announcement of the Startup Battlefield 200 winner, alongside a robust Expo Hall showcasing groundbreaking technologies and hands-on sessions designed to foster networking and knowledge exchange. The event’s programming was rich with sessions across multiple stages, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence and startup funding strategies. On the AI Stage, speakers explored topics ranging from AI-driven content creation and trustworthy AI models for physical applications to AI’s role in transportation, national security, and human relationships. Notable presentations included insights from Google Cloud’s CTO Will Grannis, Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf, and Character.AI’s CEO Karandeep Anand. Meanwhile
robotAIautomationsmart-transportationmachine-learningroboticsartificial-intelligenceCan Waymo Handle the Snow? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses Waymo’s efforts to enable its autonomous robotaxis to operate safely and reliably in snowy and winter weather conditions, which have historically posed significant challenges for self-driving technology. While robotaxis have mostly been deployed in snow-free cities, Waymo has been proactively addressing the complexities of winter driving by developing a systematic approach that includes understanding the diverse challenges snow presents, designing adaptable solutions, rigorously validating capabilities, and scaling responsibly. The company has accumulated tens of thousands of miles driving in some of the snowiest U.S. regions, such as Upstate New York and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, allowing its AI to learn from real-world winter conditions ranging from light dustings to whiteouts and icy roads. Waymo’s approach centers on creating a single autonomous system that can perform consistently across varied environments, from foggy San Francisco to snowy Denver. The Waymo Driver integrates multiple sensors—cameras, radar, and lidar—with automated cleaning and heating elements to maintain sensor clarity in inc
robotautonomous-vehiclesAIWaymowinter-drivingsnow-navigationsmart-transportationBYD-Led Consortium Awarded Contract for Autonomous Buses in Singapore - CleanTechnica
A consortium led by BYD, alongside MKX Technologies and Zhidao Network Technology, has secured a contract with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) to introduce autonomous buses into public operation by the second half of 2026. The initial pilot will deploy six autonomous buses on existing routes 191 and 400, with plans to potentially add 14 more during the trial phase and expand further thereafter. The buses, similar to BYD’s J6 model designed for narrow, congested streets, will complement existing services by maintaining routes with lower ridership and enabling new routes constrained by manpower shortages. The autonomous buses will employ advanced technologies including cameras, radar, LiDAR, and remote operation capabilities, with rigorous safety testing and phased deployment starting with onboard safety operators before transitioning to remote monitoring. This initiative marks a significant step for autonomous public transit, as Singapore’s dense urban environment, short travel distances, and slow speeds create favorable conditions for early adoption. The LTA emphasized the consortium’s proven international
robotautonomous-vehicleselectric-busessmart-transportationLiDARdriverless-technologypublic-transit-innovationTesla Working Hard To Get Cybertrucks Off Lots - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights Tesla's ongoing efforts to clear inventory of its Cybertruck model, which is currently experiencing declining sales and accumulating on dealership lots. Tesla has been aggressively promoting the Cybertruck by offering multiple incentives, including one year of free Supercharging, a Luxe Package featuring Full Self-Driving (Supervised), Premium Connectivity, and Premium Service. Additionally, Tesla has pushed limited-time offers such as 0% APR financing through September 2025 to encourage quicker purchases. Despite these efforts, Cybertruck sales have steadily decreased over the past four quarters, dropping from 16,692 units in Q3 2024 to just 4,306 in Q2 2025. The article suggests that the Cybertruck has become a significant disappointment for Tesla, raising concerns about its impact on the company's finances. While some Tesla enthusiasts remain loyal to the vehicle, the broader market response has been underwhelming, leading to speculation about whether Tesla might pivot to producing a more conventional pickup truck,
robotenergyelectric-vehiclesautonomous-drivingTeslaIoTsmart-transportationNokia deploys world’s first commercial 5G rail network in Germany
Nokia and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have launched the world’s first commercial 5G rail network operating on the 1900 MHz (n101) band with a 5G Standalone (SA) core. This deployment, located on DB’s digital railway test field in Germany’s Ore Mountains, integrates Nokia AirScale radios and an optimized 5G SA core featuring failover, self-healing, and real-time monitoring to ensure high availability. The network supports Europe’s FP2-MORANE-2 tests of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), which is set to replace the legacy GSM-R system, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient railway communications. The collaboration builds on previous 5G trials and aims to standardize private mobile networks as a foundation for future pilots and broader rollouts. FRMCS leverages 5G technology to prioritize safety messages, reduce delays by providing real-time problem visibility, and enable closer train spacing without compromising safety. It also
IoT5Gsmart-transportationrailway-communicationFRMCSautomated-train-operationsdigital-infrastructureWorld-1st roadside AI tech that prevents animal-vehicle collisions tested
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and the Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland has developed and successfully tested the world’s first roadside AI technology designed to prevent animal-vehicle collisions. Known as the Large Animal Activated Roadside Monitoring and Alert (LAARMA) system, it uses a combination of RGB cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR sensors, and self-teaching artificial intelligence to detect animals near roads in real-time and alert drivers through flashing Variable Message Signs (VMS). During a five-month trial in Far North Queensland, an area with frequent cassowary collisions, LAARMA achieved 97% detection accuracy, recorded over 287 animal sightings, and helped reduce vehicle speeds by up to 6.3 km/h. Unlike traditional detection systems, LAARMA’s AI continuously improves its accuracy by learning from each sighting without human reprogramming, increasing detection rates from an initial 4.2% to 78.5%
AIroadside-safetyanimal-detectionIoT-sensorsautonomous-systemswildlife-conservationsmart-transportationWaymo Coming to Dallas Next - CleanTechnica
Waymo, the self-driving technology company spun off from Google, is rapidly expanding its commercial robotaxi operations to new cities. After initially focusing on Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area, Waymo has recently launched services in several cities and announced plans to begin operations in Dallas, Texas, in 2026. The company emphasizes that its autonomous ride-hailing service can improve road safety and reduce injuries and fatalities, aligning with Dallas’s public safety goals. Unlike previous launches where Waymo partnered with Uber, the Dallas rollout will be in partnership with Avis Budget Group, marking a strategic shift toward leveraging Avis’s fleet management expertise to scale operations efficiently. Avis will handle end-to-end fleet management, including vehicle readiness, maintenance, and depot operations, allowing Waymo to focus on its core autonomous driving technology. This partnership is expected to extend beyond Dallas, with plans to expand to additional cities. Waymo’s commercial operations are already significant, with over 250,000 paid trips per week across five cities, covering
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymorobotaxismart-transportationfleet-managementmobility-technologyWeRide Partners with Uber to Provide Robotaxis in Dubai - CleanTechnica
WeRide, a company developing autonomous vehicle technology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Uber to advance robotaxi services in Dubai. This partnership aims to support Dubai’s ambitious goal of making 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030, aligning with the city’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The initial phase will involve pilot operations with safety drivers onboard, with plans to launch autonomous vehicle services in Dubai by 2025, starting with WeRide as Uber’s first technology partner in the region. The collaboration highlights Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global leader in smart, sustainable mobility by embracing cutting-edge technologies. WeRide, which already holds autonomous driving permits in China, the USA, the UAE, Singapore, and France, is accelerating its international expansion with the Middle East as a strategic priority. While WeRide’s autonomous vehicle operations remain relatively small compared to competitors like Waymo in the US and several Chinese companies
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxissmart-transportationDubaiUbermobility-innovationNIO Highlights from May - CleanTechnica
energyIoTelectric-vehiclesbattery-technologysmart-transportationcharging-infrastructureautomotive-innovationNew MONA M03 Max & Plus Get 12,566 Orders in One Hour! - CleanTechnica
IoTenergyrobotautonomous-vehiclesdriver-assist-technologysmart-transportationXPENG