Amazon's Zoox to launch paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas Big News Network.com Amazon's Zoox to launch paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas SAN FRANCISCO, California: Amazon's Zoox will begin charging passengers for driverless robotaxi rides in Las Vegas next week, marking its first commercial service days after receiving U.S. regulatory approval to deploy its vehicles without human controls. Zoox said it will start paid rides from August 10. The company has been carrying passengers for free in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin and Miami as part of its testing program. The commercial launch intensifies competition in the U.S. robotaxi market, where Alphabet's Waymo already operates paid driverless services in multiple cities, and Tesla has begun rolling out its own service. Zoox said fares will be comparable to the "comfort" tier offered by other ride-hailing companies. Pricing will be based on a base fare plus time and distance using the best available route, with any destination-specific fees, such as airport trips, disclosed upfront. Riders will not pay more if the robotaxi takes a longer route than originally planned. The company did not say when paid rides would begin in its other operating cities. Last week, Zoox became the first autonomous ride-hailing company to receive an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from federal rules requiring human driving controls. The decision marked a milestone for companies building robotaxis from the ground up rather than adapting conventional vehicles. The approval is limited to deploying up to 2,500 vehicles in each of the next two years. NHTSA said it determined Zoox's vehicle was as safe as an equivalent vehicle that complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards. However, the agency imposed additional reporting requirements covering issues such as crashes and vehicles stopping inappropriately on roads. Robotaxi operators continue to face
Aug 8, 2026 · via bignewsnetwork.com
Over Half of First-Timers Reject Autonomous Buses, Survey Shows Trust Gap Widens With Experience An online survey conducted by private research firm MM Research Institute (Tokyo) has revealed that whether or not a person has actually ridden in an autonomous vehicle decisively influences their trust in the technology and their willingness to use it. Approximately 80% of respondents who had ridden an autonomous bus said they found it "more trustworthy than, or equally as trustworthy as, a human driver," while over half of those without such experience expressed reluctance, saying they "do not want to use" the service. The firm characterizes this gap as "evidence that a significant number of people are hesitant due to prejudice without experience," and is urging Japan's government and operators to proactively disseminate information to promote public understanding. The survey was conducted online from June 18 to 21, 2026, targeting 3,000 men and women aged 15 to 79 across Japan. Of these, roughly 300 respondents — about 10% of the total — reported having actually ridden in an autonomous vehicle. Viewed against the full sample, the data underscores that autonomous driving remains a "distant reality" for most people. The gap was stark on questions concerning trust. Among those with no riding experience, only 10.9% said they would trust an autonomous bus "more than a human driver." That figure jumped to 48.6% — nearly half — among experienced riders. When combined with those who answered "equally as trustworthy as a human driver," positive assessments reached 44.6% (10.9% + 33.7%) for inexperienced respondents, compared with 80.2% (48.6% + 31.6%) for experienced ones. The same survey posed identical questions about autonomous taxi-type vehicles (robotaxis), showing that the experience-driven gap in perception is not limited to buses. | Item | Taxi | Bus | |---|---|---| | Trust "equal to
Aug 8, 2026 · via finance.biggo.com
Man dies after being hit by car, causing him to hit Waymo in opposite lane in Dallas, police say A man has died after the Dallas Police Department said he entered a street and was hit by a car late Friday night, causing an impact with what Waymo confirmed was one of their autonomously driven vehicles. Dallas Police said it happened around 11:30 p.m. along Maple Avenue near the intersection with Lucas Drive in the northern part of the city. Officers said their preliminary investigation currently suggests the man entered the roadway and was hit by an SUV that was driving south on Maple Avenue at first. That, in turn, reportedly caused him to fall into the northbound lane. While the department said he was hit by an autonomous vehicle, Waymo said he was thrown about 30 feet onto its car. A convenience store near the intersection shared surveillance footage with CBS News Texas showing the man leaving the store, walking into the street, and being struck seconds later by the SUV. The impact sent him to the opposite side of the road, where police say he was then hit by the Waymo. The video shows the Waymo coming to a complete stop immediately after the man was hit. Waymo confirmed the autonomous vehicle involved was one of its own. The company said in a statement, "The safety of our riders and other road users is our top priority. We are deeply saddened by what happened, and our thoughts are with the individual's family and friends. We are in touch with first responders and grateful for their quick response last evening." CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Aug 8, 2026 · via cbsnews.com
West Jordan, Utah — August 7, 2026 Today at South Valley Regional Airport about 70 legislators, federal and state officials, investors, and media gathered at a Skyshare hangar for a look at the Razorback — Hypercraft's new autonomous ground vehicle platform — and the counter-drone payload Fortem Technologies is building for it. The event, hosted by Provo-based Hypercraft in partnership with Base Case, 47G, and Fortem Technologies, paired a technical presentation with a "state of autonomy in defense" panel and a live vehicle demonstration. It's the most public step yet for Hypercraft's shift from a broad hybrid-and-electric powertrain supplier, as covered by TechBuzz in June of 2025, into a dedicated defense platform company — a pivot formalized in December when the board named Brian Bowers, a former Maersk executive who joined Hypercraft as president in 2024, as chief executive officer. Founder Jake Hawksworth moved into the role of executive chairman and chief product officer. West Jordan sets the stage West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton welcomed the audience, noting the city's growing footprint in advanced manufacturing and its roughly 600 football fields' worth of vacant industrial land in the city's southwest quadrant — an implicit pitch to the room's investors and site-selection watchers. Councilmember Kent Shelton also attended, alongside Jim Grover, West Jordan Economic Development Director, who helped organize the event. Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, the Utah House majority whip who represents Riverton and Herriman, followed with remarks tying Hypercraft and Fortem to the state's broader aerospace and defense buildout. Citing figures she attributed to state economic data, Pierucci said Utah's aerospace and defense employment has grown 23.4% over the past five years, industry wages are up 31%, the sector now accounts for 19.2% of Utah's GDP, and Utah ranks first nationally in five-year aerospace and defense growth at 62%. A
Aug 8, 2026 · via techbuzznews.com
To interpret the road, autonomous vehicles really need data annotation. Cameras, LiDAR, and radar collect raw input, but that data is basically useless until it is labeled. If you ask what is data annotation in this context, it is the process of tagging objects, lanes, and obstacles so perception models can learn from real scenarios. ML engineers use a data annotation platform to manage 2D and 3D labeling at scale, and many teams compare data annotation reviews before selecting tools or partners. Some rely on data annotation outsourcing to handle large volumes of sensor data. In self-driving systems, label quality directly affects how the vehicle reacts in traffic. k9a 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mw@H pFE@?@>@FD '69:4=6D “$66” E96 #@25k^DA2?mk^9am kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m$6=7\5C:G:?8 42CD 5@?VE D66 =:<6 9F>2?D] x?DE625[ E96J AC@46DD =@25D @7 D6?D@C 52E2 2?5 4@?G6CE E96> :?E@ AC65:4E:@?D] %@ F?56CDE2?5 H9J 2??@E2E:@? >2EE6CD[ J@F 7:CDE ?665 E@ F?56CDE2?5 H92E E96 G69:4=6 C646:G6D]k^DA2?mk^Am k9b 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m$6?D@CD %92E v6?6C2E6 #2H sC:G:?8 s2E2k^DA2?mk^9bm kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mpFE@?@>@FD G69:4=6D C6=J @? >F=E:A=6 D6?D@CD H@C<:?8 E@86E96Cik^DA2?mk^Am kF=mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mr2>6C2Dk^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m{:sp#k^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m#252Ck^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m&=EC2D@?:4 D6?D@CDk^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mv!$ 2?5 x|& DJDE6>Dk^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk^F=m kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mt249 D6?D@C 42AEFC6D 2 5:776C6?E EJA6 @7 D:8?2=] r2>6C2D AC@G:56 G:DF2= 7C2>6D] {:sp# AC@5F46D bs A@:?E 4=@F5D] #252C >62DFC6D @3;64E DA665 2?5 5:DE2?46] %96 A6C46AE:@? DJDE6> 4@>3:?6D E96D6 :?AFED E9C@F89 D6?D@C 7FD:@?]k^DA2?mk^Am k9b 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m(92E #2H $6?D@C s2E2 p4EF2==J {@@<D {:<6k^DA2?mk^9bm kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m#2H 52E2 :D ?@E =236=65] p 42>6C2 7C2>6 :D ;FDE A:I6=D] p {:sp# D42? :D ;FDE >:==:@?D @7 DA2E:2= A@:?ED] %96C6 :D ?@ 3F:=E\:? E28 E92E D2JD “A656DEC:2?” @C “DE@A D:8?]” (:E9@FE =236=:?8 px DJDE6>D 42?VE :56?E:7Jik^DA2?mk^Am kF=mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mp A=2DE:4 328 7C@> 2 C@4<k^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mp A2C<65 42C 7C@> 2 >@G:?8 @?6k^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?mp =2?6 >2C<:?8 7C@> 2 C@25 4C24<k^DA2?mk^Amk^=:mk^F=m kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m%9:D :D H96C6 DECF4EFC65k^DA2?m k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^=236=J@FC52E2]4@>^2CE:4=6D^52E2\2??@E2E:@?QmkDA2?m52E2 2??@E2E:@?k^DA2?mk^2m kDA2?m364@>6D 6DD6?E:2=]k^DA2?mk^Am k9a 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?m(92E xD s2E2 p??@E2E:@? :? pFE@?@>@FD sC:G:?8k^DA2?mk^9am
Aug 8, 2026 · via elkharttruth.com
While the automotive industry scrambles to decipher China’s rapid rise, Michael Dunne argues that what is happening is not just routine commercial expansion, but an industrial takeover. Joining us on today’s Inside Automotive episode is Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, Author of the upcoming book Car Wars: How China Seized the Auto Industry –and How America Can Win It Back, and Author of the recent Wall Street Journal op-ed We can’t afford to Ignore China’s Auto Threat,” to discuss a candid wake-up call to American dealers, executives, and policymakers. For observers who assume Chinese automakers will follow the slow, steady playbook used by Japanese and Korean brands in past decades, Dunne cautions against nostalgia. He says that China’s strategy operates on a scale and ambition never seen before. "From the inside out, the Chinese way is not to attack militarily unless they absolutely have to. But they'd prefer to work industries and countries from the inside out..." Instead of waging direct military or confrontational battles, China prefers to hollow out key industries from the inside out. Dunne points to Europe as the prime example, saying Beijing pitched its EVs to European nations as the fastest track to meeting their ambitious climate goals. The strategy, he said, paid off when China went from virtually no market presence to exporting over one million cars to Europe in a single year, capturing roughly 10% of the market. Elsewhere, the numbers are even higher, with Chinese models now accounting for 20% of sales in the UK and Mexico, and a staggering 35% in Australia. He notes that the impact on legacy manufacturing is also already becoming evident. For instance, Volkswagen recently unveiled plans to shut down factories in Germany for the first time since World War II. Meanwhile, Honda experienced unprecedented losses across
Aug 8, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Glimpses of gold-colored Tesla Cybercabs tooling around city streets in recent days have raised questions about whether the electric vehicle company is looking to expand its autonomous robotaxi service into San Diego. Tesla officials have not responded to multiple emails from the Union-Tribune about any plans to start testing, mapping and gathering data for potential business in the city, nor did the company make comments about multiple reported sightings of the distinctive-looking vehicles spotted in neighborhoods such as East Village, Pacific Beach, Sorrento Valley and around San Diego International Airport. Judging from photos and short videos, the vehicles appear to fit the description of a Tesla Cybercab prototype — a futuristic two-seat robotaxi concept model with a gold exterior, no side mirrors, no rear window and no steering wheel inside, just a screen. An official with the Metropolitan Transit System told the Union-Tribune that MTS is not aware of Tesla performing any autonomous vehicle testing program in San Diego. In a separate email, a spokesperson for the city of San Diego echoed those remarks. But local jurisdictions do not have a say in how and when autonomous ride-hailing services roll out in California. Testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles are regulated by state agencies and according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Tesla Robotaxi LLC holds a permit to “test with a safety driver authorized to test on any public road” within the state. Through the California Public Utilities Commission, Tesla has received a Transportation Charter-Party (TCP) permit that allows for a human driver to operate a traditional vehicle — but not an autonomous vehicle — for charter services with the public. A spokesperson for the commission said in an email Thursday that Tesla “has not requested nor been granted any changes to their TCP permit since it was
Aug 7, 2026 · via sandiegouniontribune.com
Your Next Car Might Drive Better Than You: The Perception of AI in Automobiles The AI Trust Barrier in Modern Transportation Picture this: you speak your destination aloud and sit back with your morning coffee while artificial intelligence navigates rush hour traffic with surgical precision. This reality is closer than you think, but there is one massive roadblock standing in the way of widespread adoption. It is not the technology. It is consumer trust. Self-driving cars represent the ultimate leap of faith in artificial intelligence. Unlike asking a virtual assistant for the weather, autonomous vehicles demand we surrender control over our personal safety. These vehicles utilize a symphony of sensors—cameras that see in multiple spectrums, radar that penetrates fog, and LIDAR that maps the world in real-time 3D. Every millisecond, AI algorithms process thousands of data points to make split-second decisions that would overwhelm human drivers. The technology learns continuously across the global fleet. Yet, the trillion-dollar question remains: is the public ready to let go of the steering wheel? Technology Fatigue vs. AI Adoption The 2026 Ipsos Global Mobility Report reveals a striking paradox regarding the perception of AI in automobiles: most people believe modern cars already have too much technology. The baseline data highlights a clear sense of "technology fatigue" among global consumers: Key figures 55% believe cars are oversaturated with tech 27% remain neutral on current tech levels Only 18% think current technology levels hit the sweet spot This fatigue varies dramatically by geography. In Indonesia, Türkiye, and Mexico, over two-thirds of consumers feel overwhelmed by automotive technology. Conversely, markets like China, Sweden, and New Zealand embrace this digital transformation with significantly more enthusiasm. The Trust Equation: Global Attitudes Toward Autonomous Vehicles Despite the complexity of modern vehicles, trust in autonomous driving is quietly growing. Currently, 36%
Aug 7, 2026 · via ipsos.com
Avatar Robotics this week said it has raised $6.5 million in a seed financing round. AlleyCorp led the investment, which followed a pre-seed round led by defy.vc. Additional participants included Headline, Henry Ford III, Refashiond, Paul Vogel, Jack Huffard, and Samuel Udotong. The funding aims to support the deployment of Avatar Robotics’ semi-humanoid robots across logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing operations. The San Francisco-based startup said it plans to allocate capital toward scaling robot fleets, expanding customer deployments, advancing its autonomy software, and expanding engineering and operations teams. Founding team has autonomous vehicle experience Avatar Robotics was founded in 2024 by Colin Webb and Nenye Anagbogu, both graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). CEO Webb’s background includes engineering autonomous systems across self-driving cars and AI-powered drones, as well as previously founding an AI startup alongside Anagbogu. “Colin’s vision for Avatar instantly captivated me,” said Amy Yin, a partner at defy.vc. “The path to full robotic autonomy will require both better hardware and massive amounts of real-world data. Avatar’s approach is incredibly clever: Use remote human operators to bridge the gap today while improving autonomy with every task completed. I believe that model can help Avatar build one of the largest humanoid robot fleets in the world.” Avatar’s technical team includes engineers and operational personnel with prior experience at institutions and companies such as Cruise, Apple, Tesla, Intuitive Surgical, Unity, and MIT. Avatar Robotics uses a human-in-the-loop operational model Humanoid hardware, remote teleoperation, and machine-learning autonomy comprise Avatar Robotics’ development framework. The company claimed that its approach addresses persistent U.S. labor shortages in sectors experiencing high turnover or hiring difficulty due to repetitive and physically demanding tasks. Rather than rely purely on fully autonomous software or fixed-site automation, Avatar Robotics said it employs a human-in-the-loop strategy. - Immediate deployment: Remote
Aug 7, 2026 · via therobotreport.com
Truck hits, kills e-scooter rider in downtown San Francisco on Market Street A truck struck and killed a woman on an electric scooter in downtown San Francisco on Friday morning, police said. The collision happened at about 8:18 a.m. on Market Street near Powell Street. The San Francisco Police Department said officers found the woman in the street with life-threatening injuries and began life-saving aid before medics arrived. She was declared dead at the scene. Police spokesman Officer Robert Rueca said the vehicle was a commercial vehicle and the driver was cooperating with the investigation. Licensed commercial and delivery vehicles are allowed on that portion of Market Street, along with taxis, emergency vehicles, Waymo autonomous vehicles and some higher-end commercial Uber and Lyft cars. Bicycles, e-bikes and scooters are permitted along designated bike lanes, while private vehicles and typical ride-share vehicles are prohibited along the downtown portion of Market Street. Rueca said the investigation was determining whether the vehicle involved had the proper licensing to operate on Market Street. He said the circumstances of the crash were still under investigation and the area was being canvassed to find any surveillance camera video of the collision. Police said the department's traffic collision unit was leading the investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact the department at 415-575-4444 or by sending a text to TIP411 and beginning the message with SFPD.
Aug 7, 2026 · via cbsnews.com
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Aug 7, 2026 · via sfchronicle.com
Waymo has added one mo’ type of vehicle to its fleet in the Seattle area, where the company has been testing for the launch of its autonomous taxi service sometime down the road. GeekWire spotted a boxy baby blue Ojai in the parking lot of a Fred Meyer store in the Ballard neighborhood on Friday morning. A driver inside confirmed the cute little van with an array of cameras on the front, back and top was indeed one of the company’s newest vehicles. Waymo first announced in May that the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) was rolling out in initial cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The purpose-built electric Ojai is developed in partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr and assembled in Mesa, Ariz. It joins the electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV that is a frequent sight on roads around Seattle and the Eastside where testing with a driver first started last September. Zeekr is the premium electric vehicle brand owned by Geely Holding Group — the Chinese automotive titan behind Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Originally designed at Geely’s research center in Gothenburg, Sweden, the base vehicle platform is customized specifically for autonomous ride-hailing before Waymo equips it with its self-driving tech stack. The Ojai features Waymo’s 6th-generation autonomous hardware stack, which reduces sensor costs while improving performance in complex road and weather conditions, according to the company. The San Francisco Examiner reported that the updated sensor array has 13 cameras and four lidar sensors, compared with 29 cameras and five lidar sensors in the previous version. The inside of the Ojai looks especially roomy, which Waymo calls “a living room on wheels,” featuring elevator-like doors and a low step and flat floor that apparently make it easier to get in and out. Three LED screens are customizable for temperature, music and
Aug 7, 2026 · via geekwire.com
Autonomous ride-hailing company Zoox will start charging for rides in Las Vegas next week, ending its free pilot program. Starting Aug. 10, the Amazon-owned startup will begin offering a paid service for its pod-shaped, purpose-built robotaxis — a bummer for free riders, but the next logical step for the company in its growth from a flashy startup to a viable business model. Zoox’s road from pilot program to paid rides has been more of an expressway. CNET Senior Writer Abrar Al-Heeti was one of the first to test ride Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxi in 2024. The pilot program opened to the public in 2025 with free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco, later expanding to Austin and Miami. The pod-shaped autonomous vehicles were among the highlights of CES 2026, roaming the Vegas strip. Since launch, Zoox claims it has carried nearly 1 million riders across its pilot cities, covering over 3 million miles on public roads. Last week, Zoox announced that it had received the Part 555 commercial exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, giving the company federal regulatory approval to charge for rides in its purpose-built robotaxi. According to a Zoox representative, the next step was completing “the necessary notifications in Nevada to begin charging for rides.” Starting Aug. 10, Zoox will flip the switch and start charging for rides in Las Vegas. Optimized pricing According to Zoox, fares will initially be calculated based on a base fare, distance traveled, time traveled from pickup to drop-off and applicable taxes. Destination fees — for trips to or from the airport or to high-traffic events at the Sphere or T-Mobile Arena, for example — may also apply, following a structure similar to that of other ride-hailing and traditional taxi services. To start, Zoox says it’s aiming to be competitive
Aug 7, 2026 · via cnet.com
Dive Brief: - Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific found that heated seats are the number one must-have feature in a new vehicle for car shoppers, according to its recently released 2026 Future Vehicle Planner. - The study, in its fifth year, surveyed over 19,000 licensed drivers who intend to purchase a new vehicle within the next three years about the features and technologies they want most. A total of 160 vehicle features were surveyed for the study and sorted by the top 15, which range from all-wheel drive to auto park, wireless charging and adaptive cruise control. - “Our study is structured to enable deep dives into who specifically wants each feature and where it is most applicable by using extensive demographics, psychographics, vehicle use, and purchase intention data to uncover the whys, “ AutoPacific Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights Deborah Grieb said in a statement. Dive Insight: AutoPacific was founded in 1986. It conducts extensive proprietary and syndicated research and consulting for OEMs, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide, according to the company. The Future Vehicle Planner survey collects vehicle considerations and intentions, as well as thoughts from car shoppers on new vehicles and available technology, such as autonomous driving systems. This year’s survey included 25 vehicle features new to the survey, as well as some restructured questions to gain more detailed insight into consumer preferences, according to AutoPacific. AutoPacific noted that automatic parking, which ranked number 10 on the list, was included in the top-15 vehicle features for the first time this year, as more OEMs are offering the parking-assist technology as an option. Following heated seats as the most-wanted feature, front and rear parking sensors were second, followed by rear automatic emergency braking in the number three spot. AutoPacific’s data also showed that demand for advanced
Aug 7, 2026 · via wardsauto.com
SpaceX, Tesla to Build $16.8 Billion AI Chip Manufacturing Complex in Texas BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — SpaceX and Tesla plan to invest an initial $16.8 billion to build a massive semiconductor manufacturing complex in Texas that will produce advanced artificial intelligence chips for applications ranging from humanoid robots to autonomous vehicles and space-based data centers. The facility, called Terafab, will be located in Grimes County and will manufacture, package and test advanced logic and memory chips under one roof. According to SpaceX, the plant is expected to employ at least 3,000 people, with future expansion phases potentially increasing the total investment substantially. The companies say the chips produced at Terafab will power Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots and Cybercab autonomous vehicles, as well as high-performance processors for SpaceX's planned space-based data centers. The vertically integrated manufacturing strategy is intended to help secure semiconductor capacity as demand for AI computing continues to grow. SpaceX said the facility is designed to help meet the more than 1 terawatt of computing power the two companies expect to require in the coming years. Construction follows Tesla's groundbreaking earlier this year on a research facility at its Giga Texas campus and builds on SpaceX's growing manufacturing footprint across Texas. Looking for quick answers on assembly and manufacturing topics? Try Ask ASM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ASM Looking for a reprint of this article? From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
Aug 7, 2026 · via assemblymag.com
Terrifying crashes, baffling trips, broken traffic laws — yet Waymo is driving critics crazy by escaping tickets See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google Waymo robotaxis have escaped a single enforcement notice in Los Angeles during the first month California police were given the power to cite autonomous vehicle companies for traffic violations. This is despite a string of viral incidents showing the driverless cars blocking roads, trapping motorists and breaking traffic laws. The new regulations, which took effect July 1, allow law enforcement to issue non-compliance notices to autonomous vehicle manufacturers for traffic offenses. The California Department of Motor Vehicles championed the move as a way to increase oversight of the driverless car industry, calling the framework “the strongest in the country” and promising it would “help ensure accountability and public safety as the AV industry continues to grow in California.” So far, though, police have shown little appetite for using their new powers — unless Waymo robotaxis really are better behaved than their viral reputation suggests. The California Post can reveal DMV records show the Los Angeles Police Department did not issue a single non-compliance notice to Waymo LLC or any other robotaxi company in the first month of the new regulations. While Waymo robotaxis did not receive a non-compliance notice over the last four weeks in Los Angeles, their track record does not paint the autonomous vehicles as perfect drivers. In May, a woman was trapped in her vehicle for nearly 50 minutes after two Waymos cut her off and refused to move at a traffic light, forcing her to call 911. She was only freed after one of the Waymos reversed, giving her enough space to drive out with the assistance of another motorist. The month before, a
Aug 7, 2026 · via nypost.com
IAA MOBILITY Weekly The mobility highlights of week 32/2026 Audi, Zoox, FAW Hongqi - IAA MOBILITY Weekly - 32/2026 Audi A2 e-tron sets a new efficiency benchmark for electric vehicles, Zoox receives the first commercial US approval for a purpose-built robotaxi, and FAW Hongqi unveils an ultra-fast charging battery that charges in under four minutes—these are our top news stories for Week 32 of 2026. Audi has released new details about the A2 e-tron. In the 140 kW version equipped with the optional efficiency package, the all-electric compact model achieves a preliminary WLTP energy consumption of 12.8 kWh per 100 kilometers, making it Audi's most efficient model to date. This performance is made possible by optimized aerodynamics, an advanced electric drive system, and a new 61 kWh LFP battery. Featuring a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.24, an upgraded drivetrain based on silicon carbide semiconductors, and an optimized synchronous motor, the A2 e-tron significantly reduces energy demand. The cell-to-pack battery architecture also supports bidirectional charging via Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), while enhancing overall charging efficiency. The market launch of the Audi A2 e-tron is scheduled for fall 2026. With this model, Audi is expanding its electric lineup in the compact segment while carrying forward the efficiency-driven concept of the original A2. Zoox has received the first commercial exemption permit from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a purpose-built autonomous robotaxi designed without a steering wheel or pedals. This clearance allows the company to charge for its driverless ride-hailing service, marking a major milestone in the deployment of autonomous mobility services. Commercial operations are scheduled to launch first in Las Vegas. Zoox has already transported more than 500,000 passengers through its service there and the Zoox Explorers Program in San Francisco. In parallel, the company is working with
Aug 7, 2026 · via iaa-mobility.com
Refreshed Smart #1 launched with 800V architecture and Geely’s 16-in-1 electric drive Geely and Mercedes-Benz collaborated Smart brand has officially launched the updated Smart #1, introducing two new trim levels, the 535 Max and the 535 Ultra. The guiding prices for the new models range from 152,900 yuan (22,500 USD) to 172,900 yuan (25,300 USD). The new Smart #1 maintains its family design language while implementing several upgrades. Most notably, the vehicle now features an 800V electrical architecture, Geely’s 16-in-1 electric drive, and the integration of roof-mounted LiDAR. Exterior The exterior features the “cyber light and shadow” through-type LED headlights (comprising 134 LEDs) and a large front ventilation grille with integrated breathing lights. Key updates include the addition of a LiDAR sensor on the roof and new perception probes on the front fenders. The door handles have been updated to a semi-hidden design to meet national standards. The vehicle measures 4270mm in length, 1822mm in width, and 1636mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2750mm. Interior Inside, the Smart #1 has been upgraded with a 10.2-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a 10-inch adaptive HUD. The centrepiece is a new 15.4-inch 2.5K central screen running the latest smart OS, customised via the Flyme Auto system and powered by a 4nm Dragon Eagle 6P cockpit chip with an AI agent. The seats have 24 different combination modes, and the luggage capacity ranges from 313L to 976L. The audio experience is powered by a 13-speaker Sennheiser system with a peak power of 640W supporting 5.1 surround sound. Autonomous driving The vehicle is equipped with 31 perception hardware components, including the roof LiDAR, powered by the Nvidia Orin Y chip with a peak computing power of 200 TOPS. It utilises the full-version G-ASD G-Pilot (Qianli Haohan) H5 assisted driving system based on the
Aug 7, 2026 · via carnewschina.com
Moove, the mobility company founded in Lagos in 2020, has raised $250 million at a $2.1 billion valuation to expand its autonomous vehicle business — a round that ranks among the largest ever raised by a company with African founding origins, and one whose expansion plans do not include an African market. The Series C was led by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund, and Ion Pacific. BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group joined, alongside existing backers including BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton, Uber, Left Lane, Silverbacks Holdings and the Ontario Power Generation Pension Plan. The funding will support autonomous fleet ownership and what Moove calls “Nests” — robotics-first depot infrastructure where autonomous fleets are charged, serviced, maintained and orchestrated for continuous operation. Moove expects to grow its autonomous vehicle workforce by more than 220% by year-end, from roughly 150 employees to about 500. The infrastructure argument Moove’s thesis is that autonomy is an infrastructure problem rather than purely a software one. Scaling driverless services requires capital, fleet ownership, charging infrastructure, maintenance, operational orchestration and around-the-clock city-level execution — the layer Moove has spent five years building for human-driven ride-hailing and is now extending to autonomous systems. “Every major technology revolution becomes an infrastructure race,” said Ladi Delano, co-founder, co-CEO and advisory board chairman. “The internet required data centres. AI required compute. Autonomy requires fleets, charging, maintenance, data systems and 24/7 operations in every city.” Through its partnership with Waymo, Moove is already one of the leading third-party autonomous fleet operators, with live operations in Phoenix and Miami and London confirmed as its first international expansion. The scale behind the pitch is real. Moove employs 3,300 people, operates approximately 42,000 vehicles across 29 cities in 13 countries, and has reached
Aug 7, 2026 · via iafrica.com
A fleet of self-driving cars to be used by Uber in London have been granted minicab licences. Technology company Wayve said Transport for London (TfL) has awarded private hire vehicle (PHV) licences to a number of its autonomous pure electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles. Uber said some of the 100,000 people who signed up to express their interest in experiencing robotaxis will be offered rides in the vehicles "later this summer", ahead of a full public launch. A human driver will initially sit behind the wheel ready to take control during journeys, while the technology is demonstrated to be safe. Wayve vice president for global affairs and assurance, Sarah Gates, said: "This licence is an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology. "The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we're proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital." Uber global head of autonomous mobility operations Annie Duvnjak said: "This licence is a key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber. "Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve's British-built autonomous driving technology." A TfL spokesperson said safety is its "top priority" and any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers in London must align with its target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London's roads by 2041. Wayve's modifications to the Mustang Mach-E – such as its six cameras – were assessed by experts and found "they do not compromise passenger safety", he added. A qualified driver must be present and remain responsible for the car under the terms of a PHV licence. Uber and Wayve will be required
Aug 7, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com