Zoox can start charging metered fares for robotaxi rides in Las Vegas.
The approval opens the door to paid trips in Las Vegas as soon as August 10, 2026, but it is not a blank check for nationwide rollout.
The covered Zoox robotaxi drops familiar controls entirely, so NHTSA waived requirements tied to features a steering-wheel car would need.
This is effectively a live federal safety trial for a steering-wheel-free taxi, not a blanket blessing for self-driving tech.
Those constraints mean you will not suddenly see Zoox pods roaming every US city, and they keep this Las Vegas rollout firmly in the pilot bucket.
Aug 7, 2026 · via motor1.com
By Nathaniel Cline– Virginia Mercury Virginia is closer to regulating self-driving vehicles, which have steadily increased nationwide despite continued concerns over safety. Despite crashes that have led to restrictions in some areas, other states, such as Arizona and Texas, have continued to permit testing and deployment. With interest in the technology growing in Virginia, lawmakers are trying to get ahead of some of the issues that have arisen. Last year, Virginia leaders signed off on a plan to bring transportation officials, law enforcement, state lawmakers, and various experts together in a work group to consider rules around the use of autonomous vehicles, such as safety, liability, privacy and cybersecurity, and operational rules. Much of the time at the group’s July 24 meeting focused on maintaining a consistent, statewide approach to permitting and operations, warning against a fragmented regulatory environment, often referred to as “balkanization,” where individual localities might create conflicting rules for AV companies. “I think we pride ourselves in having a very uniform Department of Transportation across the entire commonwealth and so, therefore, with the exception of maybe Dulles and DCA, I don’t think that we want to go down the path of allowing localities to determine where, when, or how autonomous vehicles are going to be used,” Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, said at the meeting. He added, “We need to kind of adhere to what we have proven already works and not try to have 133 different thoughts and jurisdictions about how we are going to implement autonomous vehicles.” Virginia’s participation in the AV market is of interest to the public because some advocates have said the technology can make transportation more affordable and provide more access. Experts are still studying the safety, traffic, and labor implications of AVs. Safety Work group staff and consultants recommended a multi-stage
Aug 7, 2026 · via insurancejournal.com
Waymo CEO says camera-only self-driving systems can’t support fully autonomous driving systems, and after testing multiple robotaxis, I have to agree Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov laid out reasons why Lidar and radar are required - Camera-only systems can only “approximately match” a human driver - Multi-sensing setup offers more than just a failsafe - Waymo co-CEO backs the use of Lidar and radar over camera-only systems Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov has spoken out about the technology required to run a fully autonomous robotaxi service, addressing the subject of camera-only systems. While he didn’t mention Tesla directly in his in-depth talk at Y Combinator’s Startup School, the presentation directly addressed vision-only camera setups, like those Elon Musk and Tesla have been pursuing. “Humans, of course, can drive with just eyes, so there’s that proof of existence,” he said, according to Electrek. “If the goal were to just approximately match human performance or to build an assist product, that’s a very reasonable way to go.” But “weak sensing” inevitably leads to a safety curve that flattens out “way too early,” he added, highlighting the many cases where a camera system can come unstuck. Low light or poor visibility, dust storms and objects physically blocking the lens can bring a camera-based system to a grinding halt in seconds. Dolgov then gave an example of how Waymo’s combination of Lidar, radar and high-definition cameras allowed one stricken vehicle to safely navigate itself back to a depot when a tree branch became caught in its wipers and obscured the camera lens. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. While Dolgov doesn’t completely dismiss camera-based systems, stating that they can easily support a driver with highly autonomous assistance systems, he admits they will struggle to replace a human entirely. The issue
Aug 7, 2026 · via techradar.com
Closing in 0 ... Menu Search LATEST POPULAR AIRCRAFT FOR SALE SECTIONS Business Aviation Defense Aerospace & Air Transport FutureFlight Rotorcraft General Aviation SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT CHANNELS Aircraft Maintenance Avionics Charter & Fractional Safety All Categories News Archive Newsletter Archive MORE AIN FBO Survey Airshows & Conventions Aviation Events Compliance Countdown Expert Opinion In-Depth Reports Leeham News & Analysis Print Archives Videos Webinars Whitepapers ABOUT About AIN Our Writers History Advertise Contact Us Subscribe LATEST POPULAR AIRCRAFT FOR SALE SECTIONS ABOUT Search Subscribe Search Latin America News Safety Aeromedical Evacuation Vehicle Can Deploy in Large Aircraft Brazilian developer sees equipment as a response to the Ebola outbreak Serviti's VaeVam Autonomous Aeromedical Evacuation Vehicle can be fitted inside large transport aircraft. (AIN/Richard Pedicini) Share Post Share Print Copy Email By Richard Pedicini • Contributor - South America August 6, 2026 More In Safety EASA: European Safety Recs Focus on Aircraft, Operations EASA received 39 safety recommendations in 2025 Safety IBAC Acknowledges IS-BAO, IS-BAH Achievements at LABACE The organization recognized local companies for dedication to safety Safety FAA Releases Plan for Transition to Unleaded Avgas Deadline is the end of 2030, but that may move to a later date Safety KDCA Crash Places Spotlight on Collision Avoidance KDCA midair collision spawned a series of discussions on critical technology Safety Aviation Groups Unite To Address Runway Incursions Groups will share tools including risk assessment resources Safety Dassault Falcon Manufacturing Halted by Forest Fires Dassault has moved some “sensitive equipment” from other facilities near Bordeaux Safety India Tightens Charter Safety, but Genav Issues Linger Focus is on flight-duty times and fatigue Safety TrustFlight Targets Safety Reporting Workload with AI Centrik 5 features rolling out to existing customers at no extra cost Safety
Aug 7, 2026 · via ainonline.com
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. - Camera-only systems can only "approximately match" a human driver - Multi-sensing setup offers more than just a failsafe - Waymo co-CEO backs the use of Lidar and radar over camera-only systems Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov has spoken out about the technology required to run a fully autonomous robotaxi service, addressing the subject of camera-only systems. While he didn't mention Tesla directly in his in-depth talk at Y Combinator's Startup School, the presentation directly addressed vision-only camera setups, like those Elon Musk and Tesla have been pursuing. "Humans, of course, can drive with just eyes, so there's that proof of existence," he said, according to Electrek. "If the goal were to just approximately match human performance or to build an assist product, that's a very reasonable way to go." But "weak sensing" inevitably leads to a safety curve that flattens out "way too early," he added, highlighting the many cases where a camera system can come unstuck. Low light or poor visibility, dust storms and objects physically blocking the lens can bring a camera-based system to a grinding halt in seconds. Dolgov then gave an example of how Waymo's combination of Lidar, radar and high-definition cameras allowed one stricken vehicle to safely navigate itself back to a depot when a tree branch became caught in its wipers and obscured the camera lens. While Dolgov doesn't completely dismiss camera-based systems, stating that they can easily support a driver with highly autonomous assistance systems, he admits they will struggle to replace a human entirely. The issue is that fully autonomous robotaxis need to be as close to perfect as it's possible to be. A mounting record of accidents will likely put off customers for life
Aug 7, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
Public safety agencies are preparing for the arrival of driverless vehicles in the North Bay, though Waymo’s autonomous fleet may not make its appearance on local roadways anytime soon. The American Canyon Fire Protection District hosted a hands-on emergency response training July 22 in partnership with Waymo to familiarize first responders from Napa and Solano counties with the vehicles. Waymo is an autonomous transportation company owned by Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. The company’s vehicles currently operate in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, allowing users to order rides via apps similar to Uber and Lyft. The self-driving cars have sparked controversy. With no drivers to hold accountable for dangerous or illegal maneuvers, skeptics have raised safety concerns about the service’s implementation in metropolitan areas. Nonetheless, the California Department of Motorized Vehicles approved Waymo’s expansion to the North Bay, East Bay and Sacramento in November. Nearly nine months later, Waymo officials say the company still has no immediate plan to expand to any North Bay counties, including Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma. American Canyon fire officials said they wanted to be proactive, however, and prepare for the eventual arrival of autonomous vehicles in the North Bay. “Waymo regularly trains first responders across the nation and has trained more than 35,000 emergency responders across the U.S. through our program,” Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp said in an email. This hands-on demonstration was a general training from Waymo for area departments, said Laura Provencher, American Canyon Fire Protection District spokesperson. The presentation explained autonomous vehicle functionality, safety features built into Waymo vehicles and included training for approaching and disabling a vehicle’s autonomous mode if needed, said American Canyon Police Lt. Nicol Dudley. The training did not, however, include specifics about how
Aug 6, 2026 · via pressdemocrat.com
China Unveils Safety Standards for Autonomous Driving Systems Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription, on Patreon, or on Stripe. Help us produce all of the high-quality, original content we publish week after week despite the challenges of content-scraping AI, antisocial media, inflation, and other hurdles. The Chinese government has released new mandatory national standards regarding the safety requirements of autonomous driving systems. Nothing needs to be done urgently, as the new standards don’t go into effect until July 1, 2027. The standards apply to M- and N-category vehicles with Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving systems. However, they do not cover automated parking systems at all. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the new standards on Tuesday, August 4. “The standard requires vehicle manufacturers to improve safety assurance mechanisms throughout the product life cycle and carry out simulation, field and road tests during the development and verification of autonomous driving systems, according to the MIIT,” China Daily writes. “It also calls for stronger capabilities in performing dynamic driving tasks, while specifying requirements for human-machine interaction and user notification to prevent misuse and abuse.” That includes requiring that the vehicles be capable of monitoring the driver and their readiness to take over control of the vehicle if needed. “Looking ahead, the ministry said that it will strengthen market access management for intelligent connected vehicle products, improve testing methods for autonomous driving systems, and build a sound regulatory mechanism for intelligent connected vehicles to ensure the sector’s high-quality development.” This is just the beginning, though. MIIT plans to keep developing and refining the standards. Considering how fast the industry is developing, this could be quite the challenge. On the other hand, if the cars are good enough at driving themselves, how much supervision and refinement is needed? Sign
Aug 6, 2026 · via cleantechnica.com
Zoox announces date for charging to ride Las Vegas robotaxis
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Zoox has set a date for when it will charge fares for its robotaxis in Las Vegas.
The Amazon subsidiary announced that on Monday, Aug. 10, Zoox will launch commercial, paid service in the valley.
Fares will be calculated from a base fee, plus distance and travel time from pick-up to drop-off. There could also be destination fees added, such as trips to and from the airport or high-traffic events
The full fare will be visible to users before booking. Distance and time traveled will be calculated based on the best route, and there will be no additional charge if the robotaxi takes a different or longer route.
Zoox announced last week that it received the first-ever commercial exemption for a purpose-built autonomous robotaxi from federal regulators.
Las Vegas is the first city in which Zoox will charge payments. Rides had previously been free since the company launched public service nearly a year ago.
The company also operates autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, Miami, and Austin, Texas.
Aug 6, 2026 · via news3lv.com
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Aug 6, 2026 · via sfchronicle.com
Uber Stock Down 14% in 2026: Q2 Good, But Plans to ‘Scale its AV Ecosystem’ Better Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) sees stock price targets lowered by some analysts after its second-quarter financial results and weaker than expected guidance. Here’s what the experts are saying about the short and long term of the ride-share and mobility company. The Uber Analysts DA Davidson analyst Tom White maintained a Buy rating on Uber stock and lowered the price target from $107 to $100. Needham analyst Bernie McTernan reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $109. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Deepak Mathivanan maintained an Overweight rating and lowered the price target from $98 to $90. JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth has no rating or price target on Uber, but offered post-earnings commentary in a new note. Read Also: Gary Black Says Uber, Not Tesla or Waymo, Has the Best Shot at Bringing Robotaxis to the Masses DA Davidson on UBER Stock Revenue momentum and cost discipline in the second quarter were positive, but may be overshadowed by third-quarter guidance, White said in a new investor note. The analyst said autonomous driving continues to be a key focus area by the company and investors. "The opportunities and risks posed by AV remain at the forefront of investors’ minds, and we think 2Q’s solid Mobility performance should help temper any concerns about share loss from AV pure-plays like Waymo," White said. The analyst said Uber’s U.S. mobility business accelerated in the second quarter and management said it is expected to accelerated each quarter this fiscal year. Autonomous vehicles account for around 0.5% of Uber’s overall trip volume currently, with management saying that number could rise slowly in the near-term. Needham on UBER Stock Uber’s current business is "steady," but investors are focused on the future, McTernan said
Aug 6, 2026 · via tradingview.com
Safety standard unveiled for autonomous driving systems China Daily | Updated: 2026-08-06 09:19 China has released a mandatory national standard regarding safety requirements for autonomous driving systems, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Tuesday. The standard is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027. It applies to M and N-category vehicles equipped with Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving systems, but does not cover automated parking systems, the MIIT said. The standard requires vehicle manufacturers to improve safety assurance mechanisms throughout the product life cycle and carry out simulation, field and road tests during the development and verification of autonomous driving systems, according to the MIIT. It also calls for stronger capabilities in performing dynamic driving tasks, while specifying requirements for human-machine interaction and user notification to prevent misuse and abuse. For Level 3 systems, vehicles must be able to monitor drivers' readiness to take over control. Looking ahead, the ministry said that it will strengthen market access management for intelligent connected vehicle products, improve testing methods for autonomous driving systems, and build a sound regulatory mechanism for intelligent connected vehicles to ensure the sector's high-quality development. China's inaugural step into conditional automated driving is a characteristically strategic and guarded one. It is a controlled experiment designed to accumulate real-world data, refine technologies and standards within a safety-centric framework, and steadily build the foundation for the responsible integration of autonomous driving, experts said. XINHUA-CHINA DAILY
Aug 6, 2026 · via global.chinadaily.com.cn
Moove’s evolution from a vehicle financing startup to ride-hailing and deliveries in Africa to one that also owns autonomous vehicles may seem like a leap. But co-founder and co-CEO Ladi Delano said the experience in financing and human-driven ride-hailing fleets was the ideal training ground for its latest pursuit. And now it has raised $250 million at a $2.1 billion valuation to scale that business. The company, founded in 2020 in Nigeria and now headquartered in Dubai, said Mubadala Investment Company led this latest Series C round, with Woven Capital and Ion Pacific as co-leads. Moove is still very much in the human-driven ride-hailing business. It owns and operates a 42,000-vehicle ride-hailing fleet across 14 countries. The company, which employs 3,300 people globally, also still provides vehicle financing to gig drivers. Its expansion into autonomous vehicles started in early 2023 after evaluating the industry and its four main players in this nascent ecosystem: the AV developers, vehicle manufacturers, marketplaces like Uber, and the consumer. None of these players want to “own the metal,” Delano told TechCrunch, referring to the vehicles. “In this world, who owns the vehicle? Who operates the vehicle? Who orchestrates the vehicle? Who does the servicing, the maintenance? Who does the lost property? Who does the cleaning?” Delano asked. It became clear, he added, that Moove’s experience managing large fleets and providing financing could translate to autonomous vehicle operations. “Let’s create a product where we own, operate, and orchestrate autonomous vehicles, and let’s go and find partners to do it with — and that’s essentially what we did,” Delano said. “In 2023, we started talking to every single AV company you could imagine, and as you know — God would have it, luck would have it — we managed to partner with Waymo first.” Moove is the
Aug 5, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
At our past TechCrunch Disrupt events, AI has taken center stage, both throughout our programming and in a stage of its own. This year, the technology, implications, and players are so rapidly developing and widespread that we’re expanding the single AI stage into two! The AI Stage will continue as you’d expect, with a rundown of sessions and speakers available for review right here. But the Real World AI Stage is brand-new for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. On this stage, we’ll be focusing on that intersection between the digital and physical, and all the ways we’ll continue to see a blending of the two, as autonomous hardware goes beyond self-driving cars and enters public spaces, battlefields, our homes, and even potentially helps extinct species reenter Earth. It’s a packed lineup featuring speakers from Shield AI, Colossal Biosciences, FieldAI, Foxglove, and more still to come. You can join in on all the excitement October 13 to 15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. As a bonus, if you’re catching this before 11:59 p.m. PT on August 7, you can get an extra $100 off your ticket by following this link. Here’s the first breakdown of our Real World AI Stage lineup: Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option With Nate Michael, CTO, Shield AI When AI enters the physical world, the consequences of failure change. A mistake could lead to a grounded aircraft, a vehicle crash, or a compromised mission. In this session, leaders who are building autonomous vehicles, defense technologies, and industrial systems will talk about one of the toughest questions that every hard tech founder must face: How do you know when your system is ready to be safely deployed? We’ll dig into how founders can create a safety culture, test and validate AI, navigate regulatory hurdles, and build
Aug 5, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Moove, the Nigerian-founded mobility fintech, has raised $250 million in a Series C funding round, pushing its valuation to $2.1 billion as the company increase its expansion into autonomous vehicle infrastructure. The funding round was led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund, and Ion Pacific. The latest investment will be used to scale Moove’s autonomous mobility business, including expanding its autonomous vehicle fleet, building robotics-enabled charging and maintenance depots known as “Nests,” and entering new international markets. New investors including BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group also participated, alongside existing backers such as BlackRock, Uber, MUFG, Franklin Templeton and Left Lane Capital. Founded in 2020 by Nigerian entrepreneurs Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove began by providing vehicle financing to ride-hailing drivers in Lagos. Since then, it has evolved into a global mobility infrastructure company operating approximately 42,000 vehicles across 29 cities in 13 countries, generating annual recurring revenue of about $420 million. The company has shifted its focus toward autonomous mobility through its partnership with Waymo, Google’s self-driving technology company. Moove now manages autonomous vehicle fleets for Waymo in Phoenix and Miami, with operations also planned for London. According to the company, the new capital reflects growing investor confidence that autonomous transportation will require more than self-driving software alone. It said large-scale deployment depends on fleet ownership, charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities and around-the-clock operational management. “As autonomous mobility moves from experimentation to commercial deployment, we’re building the infrastructure layer that enables it to operate at scale,” the company said in a statement. Moove expects to more than triple its autonomous vehicle workforce this year, increasing the team from about 150 employees to roughly 500 as deployments expand globally. The fundraising comes amid rising global investment in autonomous driving technologies,
Aug 5, 2026 · via businessday.ng
Key Points - Uber shares are down 20% this year. - The company is chasing a $10 trillion opportunity. From a stock price perspective, Uber Technologies(NYSE:UBER) has struggled this year. Shares are down 20% year-to-date. From a business perspective, however, things seem to be going quite well. The company reported earnings on Aug. 5, and many experts were impressed by the results. Gross bookings surged 22% year-over-year. The number of trips, meanwhile, grew by 18%, suggesting Uber has been able to flex some pricing power. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Most impressively, Uber was able to post roughly $2 billion in operating income, up 40% versus the year prior. That income translated to diluted earnings per share of $1.17. Uber struggled to achieve profitability in its early years. But the company has been consistently profitable over the last two years. Uber’s core business isn’t very capital intensive. Its drivers are typically the ones purchasing and maintaining their equipment. That has allowed higher earnings to translate into higher cash flows. “[T]railing twelve-month free cash flow exceeded $10 billion for the first time in Uber’s history,” Uber announced, “giving us the flexibility to both invest for the future and pursue strategic opportunities, while continuing to reduce our share count.” Where exactly will Uber be investing its new cash? There’s one obvious answer: robotaxis. Can Uber dominate the robotaxi market? I have long been a fan of Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) robotaxi ambitions. A growing number of experts believe that robotaxis will be a multi-trillion-dollar market. Some even believe the global market will one day be worth $10 trillion. Tesla not only has impressive access to capital, but
Aug 5, 2026 · via theglobeandmail.com
Autonomous vehicles promise to radically change the way people and goods travel. However, AVs won’t reach their full potential through engineering alone. The greatest breakthroughs will come from interdisciplinary teams solving complex challenges together. Michigan State University serves as a hub where experts across fields collaborate to advance mobility innovation. “Interdisciplinary research isn’t just a catchphrase for us,” said Judd Herzer, MSU Mobility director. “Our approach is distinctive because our campuswide network of engineers, business leaders, legal scholars and social scientists work together from the outset. This ensures new technologies are technically possible as well as scalable, economically viable, safe, trusted and ready for deployment by stakeholders in the real world.” Meet five Michigan State University researchers — three in engineering, one in business and one in law — whose expertise in data collection, generative AI and policy analysis is delivering tangible mobility solutions. AVs already have sophisticated systems that collect data and perceive their environment. The next challenge is interpreting that information. Shaunak Bopardikar, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, uses simulated autonomous racing competitions to explore how self-driving vehicles make coordinated decisions based on what they know about each other. This work is notable because instead of combining multiple goals into a single score using weighted averages, Bopardikar developed a new method that keeps each goal separate during decision-making. This allows the algorithm to find solutions where each participant has a clear best choice and no one can improve their outcome at another’s expense. “Imagine a self-driving vehicle trying to reach its destination quickly while maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles,” Bopardikar said. “Existing methods combine these goals into a single score. Our approach treats safety as a requirement rather than a preference, allowing us to test AVs closer to their performance limits
Aug 5, 2026 · via msutoday.msu.edu
Uber Technologies on Wednesday outlined plans to spend more than US$10 billion on robotaxis over the coming years and said Waymo remained an important partner despite reports that the Alphabet unit was considering ending their alliance. Shares of the ride-hailing company fell 4.8 per cent after the company forecast adjusted profit per share of 84 cents to 88 cents for the third quarter, below analysts’ expectations of 89 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company said on Wednesday the investments in robotaxis would largely comprise equity investments in autonomous-driving partners and balance-sheet support for fleet operations and vehicle commitments. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, on a conference call with analysts, brushed off reports of Waymo considering ending their partnership, saying he expected the companies to continue operating together in Austin and Atlanta, while the ride-hailing company expanded ties with other autonomous vehicle developers. The global ride-hailing and delivery giant’s capital allocation has become a key investor focus after it announced a US$14.8-billion deal for Delivery Hero DHER.DE last month. “The US$10 billion investment figure is in line with my own thinking,” said Adam Ballantyne, senior analyst at Uber shareholder Cambiar Investors, adding Uber would need billions of dollars over the next four to five years to support autonomous-driving partners as they scale. It forecast third-quarter gross bookings of US$58.25 billion to US$60.25 billion, broadly in line with analysts’ expectations of US$59.21 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Foreign exchange is expected to trim reported third-quarter gross bookings growth by about one percentage point from last year, the company said, after boosting growth over the previous four quarters. Uber’s second-quarter gross bookings of US$58.02 billion topped analysts’ estimates of US$57.06 billion, while adjusted core earnings also exceeded expectations. The business benefited from broad-based demand across regions and services during
Aug 5, 2026 · via bnnbloomberg.ca
On a cold morning in Dallas shortly before Christmas last year, CEO Colin Webb watched one of his robots work an eight-hour shift alongside warehouse workers. The wheeled machine, equipped with two robotic arms, spent the day packing beauty products into pouches as part of a pilot. A few miles away, a person inside an Airbnb controlled its every move using a Meta Quest headset. The shift tested the unconventional model behind Webb's startup, Avatar Robotics. Rather than waiting for robots to become autonomous, the company puts them to work in warehouses, packing and sorting products under the control of teleoperators, who puppeteer their movements through headsets and handheld controllers. The San Francisco startup announced Wednesday that it has raised a $6.5 million seed round led by AlleyCorp and Defy.vc, Headline, and Henry Ford III, among others. It said its robots have packed nearly 1 million items since its launch in December and operate across several warehouse facilities. Avatar does not sell its robots directly. Instead, it charges customers a recurring fee that Webb said is less than the cost of hiring warehouse workers directly. That's because many of its teleoperators are contractors based in Mexico, Colombia, and the Philippines, earning between $5 and $20 an hour depending on their location. Customers know the machines are remote workers in robotic bodies, Webb said. There's a bigger prize buried in this arrangement. As investors pour billions into "physical AI" — systems built to act in the real world — robotics companies are scrambling for real-world data needed to train the "brains" behind them. Startups, including microagi, Turing, and micro1, already pay people to record themselves performing tasks such as cleaning homes and cooking meals. Avatar's operators generate that data while performing work for paying customers. Every teleoperation session captures what the
Aug 5, 2026 · via businessinsider.com
From a stock price perspective, Uber Technologies (UBER -5.29%) has struggled this year. Shares are down 20% year-to-date. From a business perspective, however, things seem to be going quite well. The company reported earnings on Aug. 5, and many experts were impressed by the results. Gross bookings surged 22% year-over-year. The number of trips, meanwhile, grew by 18%, suggesting Uber has been able to flex some pricing power. Most impressively, Uber was able to post roughly $2 billion in operating income, up 40% versus the year prior. That income translated to diluted earnings per share of $1.17. Uber struggled to achieve profitability in its early years. But the company has been consistently profitable over the last two years. Uber’s core business isn’t very capital intensive. Its drivers are typically the ones purchasing and maintaining their equipment. That has allowed higher earnings to translate into higher cash flows. “[T]railing twelve-month free cash flow exceeded $10 billion for the first time in Uber’s history,” Uber announced, “giving us the flexibility to both invest for the future and pursue strategic opportunities, while continuing to reduce our share count.” Where exactly will Uber be investing its new cash? There’s one obvious answer: robotaxis. NYSE: UBER Key Data Points Can Uber dominate the robotaxi market? I have long been a fan of Tesla’s (TSLA -1.77%) robotaxi ambitions. A growing number of experts believe that robotaxis will be a multi-trillion-dollar market. Some even believe the global market will one day be worth $10 trillion. Tesla not only has impressive access to capital, but it also has the ability to manufacture its own self-driving vehicles. For now, Uber does not share all of these advantages. While profitable with positive cash flows, Uber is just 13% the size of Tesla That limits its relative ability to raise capital.
Aug 5, 2026 · via fool.com
Uber $UBER Technologies and Wayve secured regulatory approval to offer supervised autonomous rides in London, after Transport for London granted private-hire vehicle licenses to a number of Wayve's autonomous vehicles on Wednesday. The licensed vehicles are all-electric Ford $F Mustang Mach-E cars equipped with Wayve's AI Driver system and surround cameras and radar, the companies said. Each trip will include a trained and TfL-licensed private-hire driver onboard to monitor the ride and take control if needed. The vehicle licenses complete what the companies describe as a "triple-lock" requirement for private-hire trips, under which the operator, driver, and vehicle must each hold licenses from the same licensing authority. Trips will operate under the U.K. government's AV Trialling Code of Practice and Uber's existing TfL private-hire operator license. Select riders who registered on Uber's interest list will be invited to take early trips later this summer, with a full public launch to follow. More than 100,000 Londoners have signed up to the interest list over the past eight weeks, the companies said. "This licence is a key milestone in bringing autonomous rides to London on Uber," Annie Duvnjak, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility operations, said in a statement. "Our interest list has seen an incredible response from Londoners who are excited to experience Wayve's British-built autonomous driving technology." Sarah Gates, Wayve's VP of global affairs and assurance, said in a statement that the approval moves the company closer to "safer, cleaner and quieter streets" and reflects continued collaboration with regulators and communities. Wayve, founded in 2017, has been testing its autonomous driving technology on London roads since 2018 and says its system has demonstrated adaptability across more than 500 cities worldwide, according to the company. Unlike some autonomous vehicle systems that rely on high-definition maps or fixed geographic zones, Wayve's approach
Aug 5, 2026 · via qz.com