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Michigan Dealership Group and Drone Technology Partners Launch State-Funded ...

Jack Demmer Automotive Group, blueflite, and Airspace Link Deploy Drone Logistics Network Backed by $740,000 Michigan AAM Activation Fund Grant WAYNE, Mich., Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Demmer Automotive Group, in partnership with drone technology companies Airspace Link, and blueflite with support from Centrepolis Accelerator, today announced the launch of an autonomous drone delivery program for automotive parts in metro Detroit. The initiative, supported by a $740,000 grant from Michigan's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Activation Fund — administered collaboratively by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) which is part of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) — deploys drones to deliver high-demand parts within a 12-mile radius of Jack Demmer Ford dealerships in Southeast Michigan, representing one of the first commercial drone delivery programs in the U.S. automotive industry. The program addresses a persistent logistics challenge for dealerships: traffic congestion and workforce shortages that delay parts delivery, slow vehicle repairs, and frustrate customers. By flying parts over congestion rather than through it, the drone delivery network creates a more resilient and efficient automotive supply chain. Following the successful completion of pilot test flights in the metro Detroit airspace, the partnership is now moving into live commercial operations, with the Ann Arbor–Detroit drone corridor serving as the operational environment. "At Jack Demmer Automotive Group, The Demmer Difference has always been about finding new ways to better serve our customers. From investing in technology to creating a faster, more convenient ownership experience, we're constantly looking ahead and drone delivery of automotive parts is a natural extension of that commitment," said Jack Demmer Ford Parts Manager Mark Hatfield. "This groundbreaking program allows us to move critical parts faster than ever before,

Waymo puts Zeekr-built Ojai robotaxis into regular service

Waymo puts Zeekr-built Ojai robotaxis into regular service Following a limited test phase with free rides, Waymo has now put its Zeekr-built robotaxis, known as ‘Ojai,’ into regular passenger service. Customers in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix who book a ride through Waymo’s ride-hailing service will initially be assigned either an Ojai or one of the Jaguar I-Pace vehicles already in use. Once more of the new vehicles join the fleet, customers will be able to choose between the two models. The electric vans are built by Zeekr, a subsidiary of the Chinese Geely Group. They feature sliding doors and can carry up to four passengers. According to Waymo, the vehicles are better suited to groups and families than the Jaguar I-Pace, which has formed part of its fleet for years. However, the vehicles do not arrive from China fully equipped. Zeekr ships them to the US without connected vehicle technology, with Waymo installing its autonomous driving system in Arizona. According to media reports, the sixth-generation system uses 13 cameras, four lidar sensors and six radar sensors. Waymo has also further developed the software, which is expected to operate more reliably in challenging conditions such as snow and fog. According to a company spokesperson, around 300 Ojai robotaxis are currently in service. Waymo expects thousands more to arrive in the US by the end of 2026. Later this year, the company also plans to make the new generation available to selected users in Denver, Las Vegas and San Diego. Las Vegas, in particular, is set to become one of Waymo’s next key markets. The Nevada Department of Transportation has approved the company to operate a commercial robotaxi service with up to 1,000 vehicles in Clark County. Tesla and Uber recently received similar approvals in the region. However, these figures

Claude Cowork finally remembers what you told the app in chat

A change to Claude’s memory system will eliminate one of the most annoying things about using agents — the constant need to rebrief the AI on things it already knows. On Tuesday, Anthropic announced it’s merging the memory system used by chat and Claude Cowork, which means that Claude will always remember what it learned in one area, even when you’re engaging with it in another. Anthropic is also exposing what Claude has retained in its memory, allowing users to read, edit, or delete information on any topic. The update will improve the experience for Claude’s users as it will allow them to more seamlessly move between the research phase and taking action. Before, you may have developed ideas for projects over time while chatting with Claude, but when it came time to actually enact the changes, you’d have to start over by telling Cowork all the details. This was incredibly frustrating. The update makes Claude now feel like one continuous assistant, rather than two separate products under one roof. Anthropic offers an example of someone needing to draft an update for their manager or an agenda for a conference, where Cowork would already understand the references because of the past conversations about the matter at hand. For instance, it would know the headcount, city, and speakers at the conference, so you wouldn’t have to re-input that information. In addition, Claude will now add topics to its memory as you chat, instead of summarizing a conversation when it ends. That makes it easier to move back and forth between chat and Cowork, as the new memories are more quickly updated and shared between the two experiences, even if the chat is ongoing. Anthropic says that, by default, Claude won’t store personal or sensitive information like your health data, race, ethnicity,

India's Airbound bags $37M to take on trucks with rocket-like drones | TechCrunch

Airbound, an Indian startup building autonomous drones, has raised $37 million in fresh capital as it pushes to make moving goods through the air as cheap as trucking them by road. The Series A round, led by Greenoaks with participation from DoorDash, Lachy Groom, Lightspeed, and Humba Ventures, comes less than a year after Airbound raised an $8.65 million seed round. With this funding, the three-year-old startup has raised nearly $50 million. Airbound, and other startups in this nascent sector, argue that drones can move certain goods faster and cheaper than vehicles on the road. And while there have been successful deployments, drone delivery is still far from matching the scale and versatility of trucking. Airbound is trying to close that gap by redesigning the aircraft to make it more competitive with ground transportation. Conventional aircraft spend a lot of energy carrying their own weight rather than the payload, making flight expensive, particularly for moving smaller loads. Airbound’s answer is to build vertical-flight drones designed to weigh less than the cargo they carry, founder and CEO Naman Pushp said in an interview. Airbound’s current drone, called TRT, weighs about 3.3 pounds and can carry around 2.2 pounds of payload. Its next version, currently under development, is expected to weigh about 6.6 pounds and be able to carry up to 11 pounds, Pushp told TechCrunch. The startup uses a rocket-like, tail-sitter design for its drones, which takes off and lands vertically in an upright position before transitioning to horizontal flight. Pushp said Airbound intends to retain vertical takeoff and landing even as it develops larger aircraft to avoid dependence on runways. “We want to build towards a world where everything has cost parity with trucking,” he said. Founded in 2023, Airbound has completed more than 13,000 autonomous flights across the southern

China proposes road traffic law amendment with <b>autonomous vehicles</b> section, Xinhua says

China proposes road traffic law amendment with autonomous vehicles section, Xinhua says PHOTO: Reuters BEIJING — China has proposed adding a dedicated chapter on autonomous vehicles to its Road Traffic Safety Law, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The draft amendment, submitted to the country's top legislature for an initial review on Tuesday (Aug 25), defines autonomous driving and driver-assistance functions and clarifies liability. Under the proposal, manufacturers or importers could be held responsible for traffic violations committed while a vehicle is operating in autonomous-driving mode, while vehicles driven manually or using only assisted-driving functions would remain subject to existing traffic rules, Xinhua reported. [[nid:743421]]

HK, Macao key gateways to the world

Cities are ideal testing grounds for products on way to overseas markets For an autonomous driving company, moving a vehicle from a left-hand-drive market to a right-hand-drive city is not just a matter of shifting the steering wheel. The work involves developing the system from the ground up, with everything from product definition and the vehicle platform to the autonomous-driving system and human-machine interface redesigned around the traffic rules, road conditions and user habits of right-hand-drive markets, according to Guangzhou, Guangdong province-based autonomous driving technology company WeRide. That is why WeRide's new right-hand-drive Robotaxi project began in Hong Kong. "Few cities offer a tougher real-world test for autonomous vehicles than Hong Kong, where dense roads, mixed traffic and a mature public transport system converge in one of the world's busiest right-hand-drive markets," said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide. READ MORE: MTR kicks off robotaxi trials for West Kowloon–Airport Express link The autonomous driving developer recently announced that it is working with vehicle maker Geely Farizon and local transport operator Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings on a mass-produced model designed around Hong Kong regulations, road conditions and operating requirements. Han added that if the vehicle works in the city's dense traffic, the experience can support its expansion into other key right-hand-drive markets including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. WeRide is not alone in assigning Hong Kong a specific role in a wider innovation chain. For a growing group of Chinese mainland technology companies, Hong Kong and Macao are where products encounter new operating conditions, local partners and international capital before entering overseas markets. China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) calls for faster progress toward high-level technological self-reliance and again supports Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology center. Hong Kong is also preparing its first five-year plan, where

Will robotaxis clog up Britain's cities?

Will robotaxis clog up Britain’s cities? Subscribe to unlock this article Try unlimited access Only $1 for 4 weeks Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial. Explore more offers. FT Edit $49 per year Access to eight surprising articles a day, hand-picked by FT editors. For seamless reading, access content via the FT Edit page on FT.com and receive the FT Edit newsletter. Standard Digital $45 per month Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. Premium Digital Complete coverage $75 per month Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. Check whether you already have access via your university or organisation. Terms & Conditions apply Explore our full range of subscriptions. For individuals Discover all the plans currently available in your country For multiple readers Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content.

China reviews road safety law amendment with new <b>autonomous driving</b> rules

China reviews road safety law amendment with new autonomous driving rules Share - WeChat BEIJING -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday began reviewing a draft amendment to the Road Traffic Safety Law, which includes a new chapter on autonomous vehicles. The draft amendment clarifies conditions for autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads, principles for handling traffic violations and insurance arrangements for such vehicles. The draft was submitted for its first reading to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, which runs from Tuesday to Friday.

China proposes road traffic law amendment with <b>autonomous vehicles</b> section, Xinhua says

BEIJING, Aug 25 (Reuters) - China has proposed adding a dedicated chapter on autonomous vehicles to its Road Traffic Safety Law, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The draft amendment, submitted to the country’s top legislature for an initial review on Tuesday, defines autonomous driving and driver-assistance functions and clarifies liability. Under the proposal, manufacturers or importers could be held responsible for traffic violations committed while a vehicle is operating in autonomous-driving mode, while vehicles driven manually or using only assisted-driving functions would remain subject to existing traffic rules, Xinhua reported. (Reporting by Qiaoyi Li and Ju-min Park; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

HK, Macao key gateways to the world

HK, Macao key gateways to the world Cities are ideal testing grounds for products on way to overseas markets For an autonomous driving company, moving a vehicle from a left-hand-drive market to a right-hand-drive city is not just a matter of shifting the steering wheel. The work involves developing the system from the ground up, with everything from product definition and the vehicle platform to the autonomous-driving system and human-machine interface redesigned around the traffic rules, road conditions and user habits of right-hand-drive markets, according to Guangzhou, Guangdong province-based autonomous driving technology company WeRide. That is why WeRide's new right-hand-drive Robotaxi project began in Hong Kong. "Few cities offer a tougher real-world test for autonomous vehicles than Hong Kong, where dense roads, mixed traffic and a mature public transport system converge in one of the world's busiest right-hand-drive markets," said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide. The autonomous driving developer recently announced that it is working with vehicle maker Geely Farizon and local transport operator Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings on a mass-produced model designed around Hong Kong regulations, road conditions and operating requirements. Han added that if the vehicle works in the city's dense traffic, the experience can support its expansion into other key right-hand-drive markets including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. WeRide is not alone in assigning Hong Kong a specific role in a wider innovation chain. For a growing group of Chinese mainland technology companies, Hong Kong and Macao are where products encounter new operating conditions, local partners and international capital before entering overseas markets. China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) calls for faster progress toward high-level technological self-reliance and again supports Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology center. Hong Kong is also preparing its first five-year plan, where technological development is expected to

AITX Rebrands RAD-M as PURSUON to Focus on <b>Autonomous</b> Mobile Security

AITX Rebrands RAD-M as PURSUON to Focus on Autonomous Mobile Security Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (AITX) has renamed its wholly owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices Mobile, Inc. (RAD-M) as PURSUON Inc., creating a distinct corporate identity for the team behind its ROAMEO autonomous mobile security vehicle. Articles of amendment formalizing the name change were filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on August 21, 2026. The change represents a renaming of the existing subsidiary and does not involve the formation of a new company, changes to AITX's ownership of the subsidiary, changes to its capital structure or the issuance of securities. ROAMEO will retain its existing product name while RAD will continue to serve as its exclusive distributor. According to the company, PURSUON is intended to provide a more focused identity for its autonomous mobile security business as ROAMEO moves from internal development into active enterprise environments. “RAD-M started this journey, built ROAMEO and brought it into real enterprise environments,” said Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO and founder of AITX, RAD and PURSUON. “PURSUON takes the next step. This is not simply a new name or logo. It reflects our continued commitment to autonomous mobile security.” ROAMEO is currently operating in enterprise environments, with additional units in transit and under contract for logistics, healthcare and other commercial applications. The autonomous mobile security vehicle is designed for large outdoor environments and combines autonomous navigation and patrol capabilities with AI-driven detection, live video, two-way communication and SARA, the company's Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent. Through SARA, ROAMEO is designed to engage individuals, respond to developing situations, escalate events and generate reports while conducting scheduled and on-demand patrols across logistics centers, healthcare campuses, corporate properties and other expansive facilities. The commercial path for customers, dealers and channel partners will remain unchanged, with ROAMEO continuing to

Waymo is here in San Diego -- but not open for rides yet

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Waymo driverless taxis are showing up on San Diego streets, but as of August, you still can't actually hail one. "We're making sure that the operations are in place to support riders as we work to open our doors to them soon," said Sandy Karp, a communications manager with Waymo. When asked about a timeline for when riders will be able to summon a driverless vehicle, ABC 10News did not receive an answer before our publication time. Tourists and San Diegans alike had mixed reactions to the autonomous vehicle rollout. "AI, especially in vehicles that interact with other vehicles, in a complex place ... I think that the technology is still not there yet. But you know, you have to try them somewhere. Good luck, San Diego," said Andres, a tourist in San Diego. "I'm not too sure I would like them," San Diegan Maryann Castillo added. "I've read a lot of articles where they're having a lot of problems with them." If you want to be among the first to know when rides become available, Waymo says to download its app, which will notify users when they can hail a driverless taxi in San Diego. The vehicles available to San Diegans — at least for now — are the Ojai cars, which open from the side. The interior features plenty of seating, car chargers, and space for luggage. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

<b>Autonomous vehicles</b> find fixed route delivery role

Autonomous vehicles find fixed route delivery role At a YTO Express outlet in Foshan, Guangdong province, courier Wang Kangkang finishes loading bags of parcels into a driverless van about the size of a golf cart, closes the cargo door and taps "depart" on his phone. The vehicle, supplied by autonomous-driving company Neolix, pulls away on its own, joining regular traffic on a 3-kilometer run to a neighborhood parcel station. The route takes about 20 minutes, passing traffic lights, a speed bump and a narrow lane. "This route is fixed. Once it's set, I don't have to watch it all the way," Wang said. "It's much easier than making the trip myself on a three-wheeler." Such short, repetitive runs are emerging as one of the more practical uses for autonomous vehicles in China's vast parcel network. Before the van was introduced, couriers at the outlet ferried parcels between the two sites on electric three-wheelers. Moving about 1,000 parcels could require at least two trips, according to outlet manager Ouyang Chaoyang. The outlet estimates that its short-distance transfer costs have fallen by about 30 percent since it began using the vehicle last year, while the time couriers spend shuttling back and forth has been cut by about 40 percent. "The time saved can be used for collecting parcels and making door-to-door deliveries," Ouyang said. "Those are the parts of the job where couriers can create more value." The Foshan operation is part of a wider rollout. By the end of 2024, more than 6,000 autonomous delivery vehicles had been put into large-scale use across more than 100 types of applications nationwide, according to the State Post Bureau of China. At one parcel station in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, more than 20 driverless vehicles handle over 30 percent of deliveries, with each carrying at

Tesla in Talks With Brandenburg for <b>Autonomous</b> Shuttles

Brandenburg's Transport Minister Robert Crumbach has confirmed that his ministry is in active discussions with Tesla about deploying driverless vehicles — potentially autonomous shuttles or Robotaxis — in the German state. It's an early-stage conversation, but the timing is significant: Tesla is weeks away from a major Cybercab launch event, and Europe's regulatory path for autonomous driving is moving faster than most people realize. Who confirmed this, and how official is it? Brandenburg Transport Minister Robert Crumbach (SPD) confirmed the discussions directly. That makes this a ministerial-level acknowledgment, not a rumor or leak — a meaningful signal that the conversations are substantive enough to mention publicly. That said, no formal agreement, pilot program, or timeline has been announced. These are early-stage talks. Why Brandenburg specifically? Brandenburg isn't a random choice. Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, located in Grünheide, sits within the state. The factory is already central to Tesla's European production strategy, and according to previous reports, it's expected to be the manufacturing base for the Cybercab in Europe. A state-level autonomous shuttle program would create a natural feedback loop: vehicles built locally, tested locally, with a government partner invested in making it work. What exactly is being proposed — a Robotaxi network or something else? The framing from Minister Crumbach points toward autonomous shuttles, which typically implies fixed or semi-fixed routes serving underserved areas rather than an open ride-hail network. Germany has a well-documented rural mobility gap — areas where public transit is thin and private car dependency is high. An autonomous shuttle service in Brandenburg would fit that profile. Whether Tesla's Cybercab (a two-passenger vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals) or a different vehicle configuration is being discussed hasn't been specified publicly. Where does German regulation stand on fully driverless vehicles? This is the key constraint. As of now,

<b>Self-Driving Cars</b>? I Am Still A Skeptic For Now

I had two callers to my radio show Saturday tell me, politely, that I am wrong about Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system. Both use FSD regularly, both say it works extremely well, and both clearly have tremendous confidence in it. I listened to them, and I believe them. I learned from them and I am grateful for the information. That does not mean I have completely changed my mind. I have probably been too dismissive at times about just how good Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving technology has become. There are owners using it for thousands of miles who report very few interventions, and recent independent road tests have found enormous improvement over earlier versions that I tested. But there is a distinction I think every driver needs to understand: a system can be remarkably capable and still not be autonomous. Even Tesla makes that distinction. The product is now formally called Full Self-Driving (Supervised), and Tesla states plainly that it requires an attentive driver, does not make the vehicle autonomous, and requires the driver to remain ready to take control at any moment. Tesla classifies FSD as a Level 2 driver-assistance system. That “Level 2” designation is important. Under the automation definitions used by NHTSA and SAE International, Level 2 means the vehicle can control steering and acceleration/braking at the same time, but you are still driving. You are responsible for watching the road, obeying traffic laws and intervening whenever necessary. Take your hands off the wheel if the system permits it, but you cannot take your brain out of the driver's seat. Tesla FSD is unusually ambitious for a Level 2 system. It can operate on city streets as well as highways, follow a navigation route, change lanes, negotiate intersections and roundabouts, make turns and park. Tesla says its vehicles

Tesla teases imminent launch of Cybercab 'robotaxi'

NEW YORK: Electric vehicle-maker Tesla is teasing the upcoming debut of its self-driving robotaxi, dubbed "Cybercab," to compete with the likes of Uber and Waymo. The Elon Musk-founded company shared a promotional image on social media late Friday (Aug 21) promising "exclusive access" to Cybercabs at a Sept 3 event in Austin, Texas, where Tesla is headquartered. "We're celebrating the launch of our Cybercab robotaxi with an exclusive event in Austin – and you could be there," the company said on its website, promoting a sweepstakes to win a chance to attend the event. First unveiled in October 2024, the gold-colored vehicle can carry two passengers and marks the first Tesla car with no steering wheel or pedals. At the time, Musk said the company was planning to begin production of the self-driving cars before 2027 and sell them to private buyers for under US$30,000 (RM121,080). US tech industry publication The Information reported that Tesla staffers have been told the rollout will begin with Cybercab rides for employees on public roads, followed by the vehicle being incorporated into the ranks of its Robotaxi service in Austin. Tesla enthusiasts have in recent weeks reported seeing parking lots filled with Cybercabs, sparking rumours of an impending launch. Last year, Tesla debuted its self-driving cars in Austin using its Model Y SUV vehicles, with the "Robotaxi" service gradually expanding to several other cities in Texas, Florida and California. However, state laws require many of the vehicles to have a human supervisor or driver ready to take over control if necessary. Waymo, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, offers its services in 11 US cities. – AFP

Lotte Innovate expands Korea tourist shuttles, logs 100,000 km with MUVU

Lotte Innovate said on the 24th that it is operating the Autonomous Driving shuttle "MUVU" in major tourist destinations such as Gangneung, Jeju, and Gyeongju, advancing its Autonomous Driving technology and control and operations capabilities. MUVU is a type B Autonomous Driving vehicle with no driver's seat. After receiving Korea's first temporary operation permit in 2021, it has run in places including Gangneung, Gyeongju, Jeju, Suncheon, Sejong, and Naepo New Town. To date, it has recorded a cumulative driving distance of about 100,000 km and about 40,000 cumulative passengers. The vehicle uses technology that fuses data from multiple sensors, including LiDAR and vehicle-to-everything (V2X), to perceive its surroundings. Based on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications, vehicles and road infrastructure exchange information in real time. Lotte Innovate operates the service by linking vehicle operation and control, reservations, and safety management systems. In Gangneung, the host city of the 2026 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress, Autonomous Driving shuttles have been in operation since 2022. The route connects major tourist spots including Gangmun Beach, the Green City Experience Center, and the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park. A survey of users last year showed a 91.5% satisfaction rate. In Jeju, after a pilot introduction of Autonomous Driving shuttles around Seongsan Ilchulbong in September last year, the service shifted to paid regular operation on the 1st of this month. The route connects Seongsan Ilchulbong, Gwangchigi Beach, and Phoenix Island, and includes a coastal road section. It also provides a service that offers tourist information based on the vehicle's real-time location. In Gyeongju, following 2024, a tourism-type Autonomous Driving service is also being operated this year in the Bomun Tourist Complex. On Fridays and weekends, an immersive tourism Virtual Reality (VR) experience space has been set up in the parking lot of

Socar and Apex Mobility launch Korea <b>autonomous</b>-<b>driving</b> data venture

SOCAR and APEX Mobility are set to ramp up their Autonomous Driving data business. Their goal is to process real-world driving and accident-related data accumulated over the past 15 years into a trainable format so Autonomous Driving corporations and automakers, as well as research institutions at home and abroad, can use it immediately. SOCAR and APEX Mobility said on the 24th that they will participate in the Autonomous Driving Mobility Industry Exhibition 2026 (AME 2026), to be held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, from the 25th to the 27th, to introduce their Autonomous Driving data business. The two companies will set up an exhibition space under the theme of "Korea's largest Autonomous Driving data platform." A SOCAR official said, "As Autonomous Driving technology shifts from a rule-based approach grounded in high-resolution HD maps to an end-to-end (E2E) method that processes multi-modal data—such as camera footage and LiDAR—through a single artificial intelligence (AI) model, we aim to show the trend in which the decisive factor for technological completion has moved to the data itself." All of the approximately 25,000 car-sharing vehicles SOCAR operates nationwide are connected cars, and more than about 100 types of vehicle data—such as black box driving footage, global positioning system (GPS) information, and steering angle—are collected in real time through front and rear dashcams and in-house telematics units. The combined daily driving distance of all SOCAR vehicles is about 1.1 million km, 10 times the total 110,000 km length of roads nationwide. In particular, at this exhibition they plan to unveil for the first time a real prototype vehicle equipped with various sensors that allows APEX Mobility to independently collect high-quality Autonomous Driving data, in addition to data secured from SOCAR. The prototype Ioniq 5 to be showcased has seven cameras installed throughout the vehicle to secure

Tesla asked Las Vegas for 5,000 Robotaxi permits and it was met with a very strict response ...

Tesla asked Las Vegas for 5,000 Robotaxi permits and it was met with a very strict response from the Nevada Transportation Authority Published on Aug 24, 2026 at 3:58 AM (UTC+4) by Henry Kelsall Last updated on Aug 24, 2026 at 3:58 AM (UTC+4) Edited by Mason Jones Tesla has asked Las Vegas for around 5,000 Robotaxi permits, with the Nevada Transportation Authority giving it a very strict response. The Strip in Las Vegas brings in roughly $8.8 billion in revenue each year, with it making about $24 million a day in 2025. So it should come as no surprise that the company filed an application for 5,000 permits to operate autonomous vehicles in the city. Equally, it may come as a surprise to hear what the response was from the Nevada Transportation Authority (NTA) regarding the EVs. What did the NTA say to Tesla? Tesla submitted an application for 5,000 vehicles to operate within Sin City. The EV manufacturer clearly has lofty ambitions. So it won’t come as a surprise to see how many applications Tesla submitted. But to the shock of the manufacturer, the NTA responded a month later by issuing a permit for just 10 vehicles. “A maximum fleet of ten fully autonomous vehicles,” said the statement. The permit also stated that the 10 Robotaxis could only operate on an authority-approved corridor. This was one along the Strip, but one that had speeds of no more than 45mph. The permit also prohibits passenger pickups within a quarter-mile of the airport. This is what else the permit states about Tesla’s Robotaxi The permit also states that every vehicle must be marked as ‘Robotaxi’. Riders have to be notified before each trip that it is an autonomous vehicle. It also says that operations require ‘appropriate human supervision’. This falls

Waymo, Google, Uber, Zipline, Pony.ai, XHEART, QNX, Baidu, TIER IV &amp; Renesas

In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Waymo, Google, Uber, Zipline, Pony.ai, Verne, Momenta, XHEART, BlackBerry QNX, Baidu, TIER IV and Renesas. In this Article Waymo Named Official Autonomous Ride-Hailing Partner of Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Waymo Unveils Custom 5nm Sensor-Processing ASIC in Sixth-Generation Ojai Robotaxi Fleet Waymo has disclosed its first proprietary silicon, an application-specific integrated circuit fabricated on TSMC’s 5nm process node delivering over 1,000 TOPS. Deployed in its sixth-generation Ojai robotaxi platform, the custom ASIC operates as an edge pre-processor dedicated to real-time temporal denoising and machine learning inference across 13 camera feeds, radar, and LiDAR streams before routing data to core compute units. The custom silicon functions additively within a heterogeneous hardware suite supported by Tier-1 suppliers including Nvidia, AMD, Micron, and Samsung. The sixth-generation architecture relies on dual liquid-cooled, fail-operational compute modules designed for extreme vibration and thermal shock, reinforcing a redundant multi-sensor edge fusion model over vision-only autonomous systems. While hardware costs have dropped to an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 per vehicle across its 4,000-vehicle commercial deployment, reliance on Geely-manufactured Zeekr base vehicles from Ningbo, China, maintains trade and regulatory exposure as scaling expands into new metropolitan operating domains. Waymo Integrates Google Gemini Assistant and Tri-Screen UI into Ojai Robotaxi Platform Waymo has unveiled an overhauled in-cabin architecture for its purpose-built Ojai autonomous vehicle (AV), introducing an integrated Google Gemini conversational AI assistant alongside a redesigned user interface. Operating on a separate compute domain isolated from the core Level 4 Waymo Driver autonomous driving system (ADS), the Gemini assistant processes natural language voice commands for cabin climate adjustments, local point-of-interest (POI) queries, and safe passenger-directed pullover requests without accessing real-time motion control or routing pipelines. The updated digital cockpit deploys a choreographed tri-screen display system that dynamically configures content based on passenger