Lectric eBikes, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company known for its practical and affordable XP series electric bikes, has launched three new brands so far this year — a Juiced Bikes relaunch, a new Juiced Powersports brand, and now a premium adventure brand called Monarc — an expansion strategy that runs counter to the wave of bankruptcies that have plagued the sector. Together, Lectric has put about $10 million toward these initiatives, CEO Levi Conlow told TechCrunch. “Others might be pulling back, or raising money, we’re actually deploying and investing into initiatives like this,” he said. “I actually don’t think the market is saturated right now; Lectric last month had its biggest sales month in our company’s existence and we sold almost 30,000 bikes. I’m not sure anybody has done that before, even at like peak COVID.” It may seem like an odd time to launch an e-bike brand, let alone three. In the past two years a slew of e-bike companies have filed for bankruptcy, shut down, or withered until they were snapped up by larger companies. Rad Power Bikes, the buzzy electric bike company that raised nearly $330 million in venture capital, was perhaps the highest-profile collapse. The company, once valued at $1.65 billion, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. Its assets were acquired by Life Electric Vehicles Holdings for $13.2 million. “To me, it’s just opened it up,” Conlow said of the market after listing a dozen companies that had folded or left the U.S. market. “I think the market actually lacks a lot of worthy competition right now.” The contrarian bet has a contrarian backstory. Conlow and co-founder Robby Deziel never raised venture capital, instead bootstrapping the business, which they founded seven years ago as childhood friends, before taking an investment from private equity firm Bertram
Jun 5, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Episode 245 of The Robot Report Podcast features Winston Leung, senior strategic alliances manager at QNX. Podcast guest: Winston Leung of QNX Leung is a seasoned innovation strategist with more than a decade of experience in both public and private sectors across North America and Asia. He has led initiatives in autonomous, connected, and electric vehicles, developed policies and strategies to support their adoption, and spearheaded Canada’s first connected vehicle testbed. He has also guided go-to-market strategies for transformative technologies, including quantum and 5G, collaborating with international stakeholders, influencing government policies, and driving startup success. By combining deep technical expertise with business strategy, Leung continues to shape the future of autonomous systems and robotics through impactful leadership and industry partnerships. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of physical AI and functional safety with BlackBerry QNX. Leung explains how the company uses its innovative, deterministic microkernel architecture to provide the real-time control and robust cybersecurity necessary for robots to safely navigate human environments. He also shares how key partnerships with industry giants such as NVIDIA and Intel are optimizing operating systems for high-performance computing, ensuring that the next generation of autonomous systems is both secure and reliable. Drawing on over a decade of experience pioneering autonomous vehicle testbeds and driving global strategies for 5G and quantum technologies, Winston bridges deep technical expertise with business strategy to show us exactly where the future of robotics is heading. QNX debuted its “Inside the Robot: Architecture Benchmark Report” at last week’s Robotics Summit & Expo. Show timeline - 6:17 – News of the week - 16:40 – Winston Leung, senior strategic alliances manager at QNX News of the week Here are the news stories covered on the show this week: - Slamcore raises $14M to make warehouse automation safer - Proteus
Jun 5, 2026 · via therobotreport.com
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Jun 5, 2026 · via youtube.com
J.P. Morgan upgraded Elon Musk-led Tesla to “neutral” from “underweight” on Friday, citing that the electric-vehicle maker’s valuation is increasingly driven by its push into autonomous driving and robotics rather than near-term earnings. The more optimistic view on Tesla comes as Musk pursues expansion across multiple technology ventures. Musk is also taking SpaceX SPCX.O public in what could become the largest IPO on record, with a valuation of roughly $1.7 trillion, and an expected market debut on June 12. Investors are looking beyond Tesla’s slowing core electric-vehicle business and focusing on future growth opportunities, including robotaxis, humanoid robots, AI chips and software services that could reshape the company’s earnings profile over the next decade, the brokerage said. J.P. Morgan analysts led by Rajat Gupta, who took coverage of the stock last month, highlighted Tesla’s unmatched level of vertical integration across hardware and software. “We believe this aspect is still somewhat under-appreciated and misunderstood, but for the sheer starting-point advantage it brings.” Reflecting this optimism, J.P. Morgan hiked its price target on Tesla shares to $475 from $145. The brokerage also estimates Tesla’s earnings-per-share (EPS) to “potentially inflect” beyond 2028 and jump nearly threefold to about $7.50 by 2030 from roughly $1.95 in 2026. Tesla reported adjusted first-quarter 2026 EPS of 41 cents. Shares of Tesla were down marginally in early premarket trade on Friday. The company’s revenue is projected to more than double from about $95 billion in 2025 to roughly $203 billion by 2030, the brokerage said, with nearly half of that growth coming from services and newer businesses tied to autonomy and robotics. Gupta values Tesla across five interlinked markets - automotive, energy storage, robotaxis, humanoid robots and infrastructure licensing with a combined potential addressable market of about $3.9 trillion by 2035. The brokerage, however, warned that execution
Jun 5, 2026 · via bnnbloomberg.ca
No fare, no driving: Autonomous shuttle service rolls out in Atlanta ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A free autonomous shuttle service connecting part of the Atlanta Beltline with a MARTA station and a mixed-use development launches on Friday. ATL Spoke’s two-mile route has stops at the MARTA West End Station, Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard at Beecher Street and two locations in the Lee + White District — the food hall and Boxcar/Wild Heaven. Funded by a $1.75 million grant from the Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority, the 12-month pilot project marks the city’s first use of autonomous public transit. It’s powered by Beep, an autonomous mobility services company. “As we seek to create an integrated and connected transportation network, ATL Spoke showcases the way innovative thinking can solve the first-mile last-mile connectivity challenges when we work with partners like MARTA, the Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority, and Beep,” Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., said in a statement. “This project is piloting the future of neighborhood mobility in a way that improves access to transit and opportunity.” See the map: The shuttle service operates seven days a week from noon to 10 p.m. Each ADA-compliant vehicle can carry up to 12 people and has an onboard attendant. A shuttle arrives at each stop every 12 to 15 minutes. In the fall, organizers hope to add a stop at the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Although the shuttle marks the city of Atlanta’s first autonomous public transit option, similar projects have been launched around metro Atlanta. In 2023 and 2024, the Cumberland Hopper ran loops around the Cobb Galleria and over the I-285 Transit and Pedestrian Bridge to The Battery. Although the Hopper’s pilot phase is over, the project paved the way for a $6.6 million grant to fund a
Jun 5, 2026 · via atlantanewsfirst.com
There are plenty of incidents where Waymo robotaxis reportedly blocked emergency vehicles, and the latest one comes from Atlanta, where a police patrol vehicle with blaring lights and sirens was stuck because the autonomous vehicle would not move out of the way. A video of the incident has gone viral on Instagram, which appears to have been recorded late at night. Despite robotaxis being involved in several such incidents where they blocked emergency vehicles, a resolution does not appear in sight. If the same violation were committed by a human, they would be penalized for the act. Whether the authorities will ever demand accountability from autonomous taxi operators for delays in responding to emergencies remains to be seen. Did the Robotaxi Assume it Pulled Over to Let the Police Pass? The footage on Instagram shows the police car pull up right behind the Waymo that halted in the middle of the road, waiting for it to give way. On the left was a row of parked cars, which meant the officer could overtake the Waymo from the right. However, that did not happen. Instead, the officer waited for the Waymo to move to the right, likely because the robotaxi showed its right indicator. However, the Waymo then drove forward a few meters with the indicator flashing continuously, but it did not pull over to the side, nor did it make the right turn. It could be possible that Waymo assumed it had pulled over, but in reality, it was blocking the police car. This put the police car in a tricky spot because there was nowhere to go. Despite the officer's persistent honking, the Waymo remained stationary. Some spectators, meanwhile, were amused by the incident, with some recording the event while others tried to talk to someone in the car.
Jun 5, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
TEXAS — Texans can now report any safety complaints about self-driving cars. You can submit a complaint to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) for driverless cars. Texas leads the nation in the number of self-driving cars on its roads. Just last month, Senate Bill 2807 went into effect, which provides oversight for autonomous vehicles. It also provides residents with the opportunity to report their safety concerns on the new “Automated Motor Vehicle Lookup” webpage. “Automated vehicles are subject to the same traffic laws and public safety standards as any other vehicle. Administrative enforcement of the issued authorization to operate automated vehicles for a commercial purpose is the authority of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles,” says the TxDMV in a statement. Texas has at least 10 autonomous vehicle (AV) taxi companies operating within its borders. Waymo has the most AVs operating in the state. The driverless taxi company recently paused operations temporarily in Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio after reports of multiple safety hazard issues, including driving into oncoming traffic and not responding to emergency vehicles. TxDMV is now responsible for issuing authorizations and overseeing compliance. If the department determines the AVs are operating unsafely and endangering the public, it will begin suspending, revoking, canceling or restricting the company’s authorization, according to TxDMV. Officials will notify the AV company to fix the issue and then provide some kind of certification that the issue was fixed before the driverless car can be allowed back on the streets. On the website, the public and law enforcement can check online to see whether an AV company has been approved by the state to operate.
Jun 5, 2026 · via spectrumlocalnews.com
Technology i-charging Presents 500 kW Charging System for Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles Image: (c) iCharging The Portuguese charging infrastructure provider i-charging has unveiled its new "Blueberry Cluster," a high-power charging system designed for both electric passenger cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The solution combines high charging capacities with flexible power management, making it ideal for use along highly trafficked transit corridors, as well as in logistics and fleet applications. The Portuguese charging infrastructure provider i-charging has unveiled its new "Blueberry Cluster," a high-power charging system designed for both electric passenger cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The solution combines high charging capacities with flexible power management, making it ideal for use along highly trafficked transit corridors, as well as in logistics and fleet applications. The system delivers charging capacities of up to 500 kW per charging point for passenger cars. For heavy-duty electric trucks, the available power can be dynamically increased to up to 600 kW per connection. The total installed capacity stands at 1.2 MW and can be expanded to up to 8 MW in the future. As a result, the system is expected to be among the most powerful fast-charging solutions currently available for mixed passenger and commercial vehicle applications. A key feature of the system is its intelligent load balancing. The available power is dynamically distributed among the connected vehicles, which is intended to maximize infrastructure utilization. This is particularly attractive for logistics companies that need to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously while keeping downtime to a minimum.
Jun 5, 2026 · via iaa-mobility.com
Beyond EVs, VinFast Builds a Technology Ecosystem for the Future of Global Mobility PARIS, France, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As VinFast continues expanding its presence across Europe, from major urban centers in France and Germany to emerging electric mobility markets, the Vietnamese company is positioning itself as more than a new electric vehicle manufacturer. VinFast is steadily building a technology-driven ecosystem that supports its EV range, centered on smart mobility and sustainable innovation. This broader vision is increasingly relevant in Europe, where consumers, regulators, and industry stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on software-defined vehicles, intelligent transportation, and future-ready mobility solutions. Recently, VinFast and Autobrains announced a strategic collaboration for a next-generation level 4 autonomous driving program for Southeast Asia, built on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion. The collaboration marks a new step in VinFast's roadmap to make advanced autonomous driving technology more accessible at a reasonable cost, while opening a more practical approach to autonomous mobility solutions in the region's highly complex traffic environments. Built on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion 10 and powered by Autobrains' Agentic AI software for autonomous driving capabilities, VinFast is initially developing the level 4 platform for Southeast Asia. With dense traffic, diverse road behaviour, and highly dynamic urban environments, Southeast Asia presents a demanding validation ground for autonomous driving. For VinFast, the program provides a path to bring advanced autonomous capability to market without the premium cost structure that has limited wider deployment. NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion gives VinFast a validated hardware and software foundation, reducing the integration work that typically adds years to autonomous vehicle programs. The three-way collaboration comes at a time when autonomous driving has faced three persistent challenges: system complexity, compute cost, and brittle performance outside controlled environments. To address these areas, VinFast, NVIDIA, and Autobrains are developing a modular architecture, pairing vehicle integration,
Jun 5, 2026 · via prnewswire.com
Airdate: Friday, June 5 at 10 AM
Self-driving car companies like Waymo say their autonomous vehicles are dramatically safer than human drivers. But a new CNN investigation found that when things do go wrong, they tend to go wrong in decidedly un-human ways: being incapable of responding to instructions from first responders, driving through crime scenes, and even attempting to traverse entirely flooded streets. As Waymo expands into new markets nationwide, we’ll examine these safety issues — and hear why a lot of passengers love self-driving cars anyway.
Jun 4, 2026 · via kqed.org
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- You may be seeing more autonomous vehicles on the roads here in Houston, and they're making more headlines too. In March, a Waymo car in Houston that was seen trying to go the wrong way on an HOV lane. And in April, one was spotted driving into flood waters in San Antonio. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have voiced their support for autonomous vehicles. "Like it or not, they are here and will be central to the future of roadways," said Texas Senator Ted Cruz in February. The senator made those comments at a hearing where he urged Congress to create more guardrails related to these vehicles. "We should follow the data, which increasingly shows advanced autonomous vehicles reduce crashes and prevent serious injuries," Cruz said at the time. It's also on the minds of state lawmakers in Texas. Texas Senate Bill 2807, which was passed during last year's legislative session, went into effect last week. It requires operators of autonomous vehicles to possess an authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, have an on-board camera, and more. Violators risk having their authorization amended, suspended, restricted, or revoked. Texans are now also able to file complaints against autonomous vehicles via the Texas DMV website. ABC13 asked the City of Houston whether it has a dashboard showing incidents involving such vehicles in the city. Eyewitness News was told they do not, but the City of Austin does have one posted on its website. According to the Austin dashboard, that there has been only one collision involving an autonomous vehicle in that city so far in 2026.
Jun 4, 2026 · via abc13.com
Waymo blocks Dallas road as first responders rush to explosion DALLAS - Newly released body camera video following an apartment explosion shows a Dallas County deputy constable trying to move a Waymo vehicle that appeared to be blocking the way of first responders. Waymo blocks Dallas firefighters What we know: The body camera video that was released to the public on Thursday shows what happened in the moments following a natural gas explosion and five-alarm fire that killed three people and injured five others. Dallas County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Jonathan Banda found the empty Waymo partially blocking the route fire trucks needed to take to get to the burning apartment building. With no driver behind the wheel, the deputy constable had to get inside the vehicle to clear the street so emergency crews could reach the scene. What they're saying: In the video, Deputy Constable Banda can be heard trying to get the car to move. "You’ve got to get out the way," he said. "Go forward. Go!" After pressing a button for rider support, he talked to a Waymo employee who told him the "system seems to be having a minor issue." "If I can manually move it, I’ll move it," Banda told him. "Come on man, we need you to move it." The Waymo employee ultimately unlocked the vehicle, allowing Banda to get in and drive the vehicle to a safe location. "I knew I had to clear the way for the firefighters coming in. I could hear the sirens coming in," Banda told FOX 4. "He released it to me and, at that point, another engine was coming down the street with the hoses they needed to deploy out there." The other side: In a statement, Waymo gave credit to the law enforcement officer for working
Jun 4, 2026 · via fox4news.com
China's XPeng enforces special driving test for users of autonomous cars XPeng CEO says he wants customers to ‘pass a test’ before being given access to autonomous-drive features Chinese car brand XPeng is offering in-car tutorials that must be completed before owners can access various autonomous-drive functions, in effect forcing consumers to pass a driving test before letting AI do the driving. Speaking to Auto Express at an exclusive media conference in London, where XPeng revealed that just 13 per cent of Europeans would get in a self-driving car, CEO Brian Gu said, “Consumers don’t know how to use [autonomous-drive features]; they don’t know how simple it is. “When we first launched autonomous-driving technologies in the Chinese market, we pioneered a tutorial requirement for anyone who wants to launch [autonomous] functions in our vehicles. They have to complete a tutorial session and be able to pass the test before they can unlock the feature in our vehicles.” This once again highlights the disconnect between Chinese acceptance of overly intrusive safety aids, and more reserved European tastes – whereby drivers prefer a car’s driver-assistance systems to act less conspicuously, largely behind the scenes. When challenged as to whether European customers would demonstrate the same acceptance of having to undergo an exam before driving their new car, Gu insisted it was "necessary" and that the entire routine required to unlock certain highway-assist functions and, eventually, full hands-free driving, was “a 10-minute process”. Gu continued: “[Customers] need to spend the time to understand the technology and be able to make the right judgements and decisions. I think the tutorial is a good choice.” He also admitted that as increasingly competent AI driving features come to market, XPeng and other manufacturers will “need to reconfigure the sales process” with specific test-drive routes so they
Jun 4, 2026 · via autoexpress.co.uk
Every EV motor, wind turbine and guided missile on the planet runs on a fistful of rare earth elements, and the uncomfortable truth is that China decides who gets them and at what price. Japan learned that the hard way back in 2010, when Beijing throttled exports during a fishing-boat spat and sent Toyota’s magnet supply into a panic. Fifteen years of recycling pushes, Australian joint ventures and substitute-material R&D later, Tokyo still imports roughly 60% of its rare earths from China, and that figure has been creeping back up. So Japan is doing something the rest of the auto-industrial world has mostly talked about and quietly shelved: sending robots six kilometers down into the Pacific to vacuum the seabed. Nikkei Asia reported on June 3 that the national marine research agency JAMSTEC wants a more efficient autonomous underwater vehicle ready by fiscal 2028, built specifically to hunt rare-earth deposits on the ocean floor. It’s the first serious national-scale bet that deep-sea drones can do what land-based mining has spent two decades failing to do, which is hand China’s rare-earth monopoly its first real competitor. What the drone is actually for The agency behind this is JAMSTEC, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, and the new AUV isn’t a mining machine. It’s a scout. Finding rare-earth mud at 6,000 meters is roughly as easy as spotting a specific dinner plate in the dark from a helicopter, and right now Japan does it with crewed vessels dragging pipes and sensors at glacial speed. An autonomous vehicle that can map promising zones on its own dramatically shortens the loop between “we think there’s something down there” and “send the excavator.” JAMSTEC’s own deep-sea program has flagged exactly this, the need to run several AUVs at once to survey wide areas
Jun 4, 2026 · via autonocion.com
Tesla stock is down around 1% on Thursday: what's hurting the EV stock? Tesla (TSLA) shares edged lower on Thursday as investors weighed incremental progress in the company's autonomous driving efforts against broader weakness across technology stocks. Shares of the electric vehicle maker fell 1.04% in early trading, underperforming a broader market decline that saw the S&P 500 slip 0.2%. The weakness came amid a difficult session for technology stocks. Nvidia fell 0.5%, while Intel dropped 3.1%. Sentiment across the semiconductor sector was pressured after Broadcom's fiscal second-quarter results disappointed investors, sending its shares down 15.5%. Robotaxi expansion draws attention Investor focus remained centered on Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions, particularly developments surrounding its robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas. Barclays analyst Dan Levy wrote in a research note this week that Tesla had removed safety monitors from robotaxis operating within its Austin geofence. The development coincided with an expansion of the operating area, which more than doubled in size on Wednesday. The expanded zone now includes highway driving along Interstate 35 as well as suburban areas, including Pflugerville and Manor. According to Levy, the unsupervised fleet peaked at roughly 25 vehicles in late April based on independent tracking data. The move represents another step in Tesla's efforts to scale autonomous ride-hailing services, which have become a central pillar of the company's long-term growth narrative. Tesla trails Waymo in fleet size Despite the broader operating area, Tesla remains significantly smaller than Alphabet-owned Waymo in terms of active robotaxi deployments. Recent filings show Waymo has 577 robotaxis registered in Texas, approximately 13 times Tesla's statewide total of 42 vehicles. The company has previously said about 300 of those vehicles operate in Austin. As a result, Tesla's active fleet remains only a fraction of Waymo's presence in the city. However, the two companies rely
Jun 4, 2026 · via tradingview.com
BYD confirms humanoid robot development, says future sales could use dealer network Chinese EV giant BYD has officially confirmed that it is developing humanoid robots, marking the company’s most direct public statement yet on its ambitions beyond automobiles, according to First Financial. BYD Executive Vice President Li Ke said the company is already working on humanoid robots and believes the key competitive factors in the sector will be manufacturing, software, and hardware capabilities. She added that automotive AI and robotics share common technological foundations. If humanoid robots eventually become household products, BYD could distribute them through its existing dealer network. BYD sees overlap between cars and robots Li Ke said the company’s automotive AI expertise can be applied to robotics because both industries rely on perception, decision-making, motion control, software integration, and hardware engineering. Humanoid robots combine many technologies already used in modern intelligent vehicles, including sensors, electric actuators, batteries, computing platforms, and AI models. Vehicle manufacturers also possess large-scale manufacturing experience, supply-chain management capabilities, and expertise in safety-critical systems. These similarities have encouraged several Chinese automakers to explore robotics as a potential extension of their existing technology stacks. Open-platform approach discussed Li Ke said BYD could create an open platform rather than limiting itself to internally developed products. Under that approach, the company could manufacture its own robots while also cooperating with external robotics companies. Such a model would resemble BYD’s broader strategy in the automotive sector, where the company develops core technologies internally while maintaining extensive supplier and partner networks. The executive did not provide a commercialisation timeline, technical specifications, investment figures, or production targets. Chinese automakers accelerate humanoid robot efforts BYD joins a growing list of Chinese automakers entering the humanoid robotics sector. In April, we reported that Chery began online sales of a humanoid robot equipped
Jun 4, 2026 · via carnewschina.com
Since August 2021, the West Desert Test Center (WDTC) has served as a critical engine for modernization, partnering with Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (JPM CBRN) Protection on the Desert Phantom and Desert Tempest initiatives. With the successful completion of Desert Tempest 2026, WDTC marks its eighth major supported event, delivering over $3 million in customer-driven testing execution. These initiatives provide a vital, non-attributional sandbox for JPM CBRN Protection. Within this environment, developers can push emerging and immature technologies—potential future programs of record—through rigorous experimentation without penalty. A cornerstone of these exercises is WDTC’s exclusive ability to conduct contamination and decontamination trials using both tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles. This unmatched capability remains a primary driver for testing and innovation. Ultimately, Desert Tempest and Desert Phantom bridge the gap between the laboratory and the battlefield. They provide Product Leads, Product Managers, and Joint Science and Technology partners with recurring access to Department of War (DoW) equipment, specialized test environments, and, most importantly, warfighters. This early, consistent user-touchpoint ensures that developing capabilities undergo operationally realistic assessments at both the component and system levels. Desert Tempest 2026 put these principles into action through seven dynamic excursions. Soldiers from the 76th Operational Response Command and Marines from the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) took the lead, putting Systems Under Test (SUT) through their paces. Their hands-on participation delivered vital preliminary data and direct Warfighter feedback, ensuring future CBRN defenses are built to perform precisely as intended in combat. These seven excursions include: (1) Quick Urban Industrial Complex – Near Field Downwind Hazard Model VV. (QUCI NFDHM) (2) UIPE General Purpose Glove (GPG) (3) Autonomous Vehicle Decontamination (AVD) (4) Tactical Contamination Mitigation System (TCMS) (5) Semi-Autonomous Aerial Vehicle Decontamination (SAAVD) (6) Sensor Classification and Inference Network (SCINET) (7) Overcoats.
Jun 4, 2026 · via army.mil
No way to Waymo. SF police still searching in robotaxi burglar San Francisco police are investigating what may be the city’s first case of a burglary suspect using a self-driving Waymo as a getaway car — an unusual incident first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. According to the Chronicle, the January break-in at Hot 8 Yoga in the Marina District took less than three minutes. Surveillance video shows a suspect entering the studio, grabbing an armful of men’s activewear and leaving just as quickly. Waiting outside: a Waymo robotaxi. The suspect loaded the items into the trunk, got inside, and was driven away. Nearly six months later, police have not publicly identified or arrested anyone in connection with the case, the Chronicle reported. Why the Waymo San Francisco yoga studio break-in is still unsolved At first glance, a crime involving a self-driving car might seem tailor-made for investigators. Waymo vehicles are equipped with dozens of high-definition cameras and require users to create accounts tied to payment information. That combination might suggest a clear trail of evidence. But the Hot 8 Yoga burglary hasn’t been so straightforward. As first reported by the Chronicle, police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle’s data and the account used to request the ride. According to investigators, neither led to a clear suspect. The account information did not point to the person responsible — something police say is not unusual if stolen credentials or burner phones are used. The video evidence was also limited. By the time officers filed their warrant in April, Waymo no longer retained interior footage from the ride, the Chronicle reported. Exterior footage was available, but faces were blurred for privacy reasons. “I would think it would be easier to solve in a Waymo,” Sgt. Tim Faye told the Chronicle.
Jun 4, 2026 · via desertsun.com
Waymo’s retired EV batteries won’t be heading straight to recycling anymore. Instead, they’re going to help support the power grid in California and Texas. Autonomous driving company Waymo has partnered with battery repurposing company B2U Storage Solutions to reuse batteries from its electric robotaxi fleet once they’re no longer suitable for driving. The used battery packs will be installed into grid-connected energy storage systems that can store electricity and send it back to the grid when demand is high. The projects will operate in California and Texas, where Waymo already runs autonomous ride-hailing services. The partnership creates an alternative second-life pipeline for used EV batteries, besides recycling after automotive use. B2U says its technology allows the lithium-ion batteries to continue operating safely and efficiently for several more years as stationary energy storage before they’re eventually recycled. That’s important because EV batteries usually still retain plenty of usable capacity after they’re retired from vehicles. Turning old EV batteries into battery storage Once installed on the grid, the retired EV batteries will store excess renewable energy during periods of low demand and discharge it during peak hours. That helps stabilize the grid and adds extra energy capacity for local communities. B2U says using repurposed batteries can also lower costs compared to building storage systems entirely from newly manufactured battery materials. The company said the partnership could eventually transition thousands of retired EV batteries from transportation into the power sector. Freeman Hall, CEO of B2U Storage Solutions, said, “By extending the use of these batteries as grid storage, we are monetizing the full potential of EV batteries, now providing crucial stability to the power grid as energy demand continues to grow.” Waymo’s head of sustainability and environment, Adam Lenz, said, “Through this partnership, we can repurpose our batteries for local grid storage and
Jun 4, 2026 · via electrek.co
Author of Unsafe at Any Speed Says Uber's California Initiative and Federal Fong Amendment Threaten Decades of Auto Safety Progress LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, whose landmark 1965 book Unsafe at Any Speed helped launch the modern auto safety movement, today released an open letter to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi condemning the company's efforts to limit legal accountability for crashes involving rideshare drivers and autonomous vehicles. In the letter, Nader argues that Uber's California ballot initiative and the federal amendment sponsored by Congressman Vince Fong would weaken longstanding legal protections that have held automakers and technology companies accountable for dangerous products and defective vehicle systems. "Sixty years ago, the publication of Unsafe at Any Speed exposed a simple but consequential truth: when corporations are allowed to evade accountability for dangerous products, the public bears the cost in preventable deaths, injuries, and suffering," Nader wrote Nader warned that Uber is seeking liability protections at the same time it accelerates deployment of robotaxis and autonomous vehicle partnerships across the country. "Uber is actively pursuing legal and legislative changes in California and at the federal level that would weaken its accountability for injuries and deaths tied to its platform and the autonomous vehicle systems Uber is now rapidly deploying," Nader wrote. "These efforts are not technical adjustments to litigation rules. They represent a fundamental attempt to undermine the rights of injured people and reduce corporate responsibility at the very moment rising autonomous systems are being tested on public roads at scale." The letter highlights Uber's push for federal legislation sponsored by Representative Vince Fong (Bakersfield, CA) that would limit the company's legal exposure for crashes involving drivers using its platform. "Uber's efforts in California are now being mirrored in Congress through the amendment sponsored by Representative Vince
Jun 4, 2026 · via prnewswire.com