Waymo temporarily suspends San Antonio operations after vehicle swept away by floodwaters
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Waymo says one of its autonomous vehicles was swept away by floodwaters in the San Antonio area Tuesday.
What they're saying:
A Waymo spokesperson told FOX 7 Austin that an unoccupied Waymo vehicle had entered a flooded roadway and was swept away as a result.
The company has temporarily suspended its operations in San Antonio.
What's next:
Waymo did not give a timeframe for when operations would be reinstated, but said that the company is continuing to monitor local conditions.
The company is also still trying to recover the lost vehicle as of Tuesday evening.
The Source: Information in this report comes from Waymo
Apr 21, 2026 · via fox7austin.com
The promise of self-driving cars hits a traffic snag As autonomous vehicles (AVs) near widespread use, researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington say the technology could change not just how people travel but how much, reshaping traffic congestion, city planning and public policy. In a recent study, UT Arlington civil engineering professors Stephen Mattingly and Farah Naz examined how AVs may influence travel behavior, particularly changes in vehicle miles traveled, or VMT—a key measure of total roadway use. They found that widespread adoption of AVs could increase traffic congestion. Dr. Naz said it is important to understand the impact of AVs before they become part of everyday life. “We were motivated by the idea that autonomous vehicles could reshape travel in ways that go far beyond simply replacing the driver,” Naz said. “Because we are still in a period when policy can be shaped before large-scale adoption occurs, we saw an opportunity to study these potential effects early.” Dr. Mattingly echoed that urgency, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning. “We are at a moment in time where policies may still be enacted before market factors alone take hold and create situations the current transportation system may not be able to adapt to,” he said. “We hope policies may be created proactively before the problems overwhelm the system.” Already, major Texas cities like Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio have allowed deployment of such vehicles in an effort to test their viability. Most are operating in and around downtown areas, a pattern researchers say could expand as adoption increases. The researchers found that AV adoption is likely to increase traffic congestion and travel time as more vehicles are added to the roads and highways. “In our meta-analysis, the combined results showed an average 5.95% increase in vehicle miles traveled,”
Apr 21, 2026 · via uta.edu
On the Dash: - Sony and Honda scale back Sony Honda Mobility after scrapping plans for the AFEELA vehicle. - Nearly all joint venture employees were reassigned to parent companies or affiliates. - EV market pressure and uncertainty reshape the outlook for the future Sony-Honda collaboration. Honda and Sony announced they are scaling back operations for their EV joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM). The decision comes after the companies announced they couldn’t bring products to market quickly under their current structure. Sony Honda Mobility will be restructured immediately following this decision. Nearly all SHM employees are being reassigned to roles in their respective parent companies as part of this process. Despite the restructuring, Sony and Honda say that their broader partnership remains intact. Both companies say they will continue discussions on future collaboration focused on software-driven user experiences and advanced driver-assistance systems. It remains unclear what concrete products or services will emerge from the joint venture. SHM’s debut model shelved Honda announced in March that it was revising its four-wheel electrification strategy, triggering a reassessment of SHM’s future. On March 25, SHM announced the cancellation of development and launch plans for both the AFEELA 1, the venture’s debut model, and a planned second model. The AFEELA brand was unveiled at CES 2023. At the time, SHM positioned the brand as a premium EV initiative focused on software-defined mobility and in-car innovation. The vehicle was designed to combine Sony’s software, sensor, and entertainment technology with Honda’s automotive engineering and automotive manufacturing expertise. Move reflects shifts in global EV market Notably, the decision to scale back Sony Honda Mobility comes amid continued volatility in the global EV market. Automakers worldwide have been adjusting their EV strategies as demand growth slows, costs remain elevated, and competition intensifies, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. Honda
Apr 21, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
General Motors reported spending nearly $11.4 million on federal lobbying expenses during the first three months of 2026, more than the company has ever spent in a single quarter, according to new federal lobbying disclosures. For comparison: The automotive giant spent about $8.2 million during the first quarter of 2025, then a record-breaking quarter for the company, when President Donald Trump took office and Republicans took control of both chambers of Congress. Only the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Realtors and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — all trade associations — spent more on federal lobbying than General Motors during the first quarter of 2026. These were also the only four entities to spend more than $10 million on federal lobbying last quarter. Trending General Motors, which includes the Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC brands, historically spends more money on federal lobbying during the first quarter than it does during the second, third or fourth — just never to this degree. A spokesperson for General Motors declined to comment on the record when asked what was driving the notable increase in federal lobbying expenses. But in General Motors’ mandatory quarterly lobbying report to Congress, the company cited tariffs, autonomous vehicles and competition with China among its legislative priorities during the first three months of 2026. General Motors also disclosed lobbying on a range of issues including legislation related to autonomous vehicles, including a House bill that would require manufacturers and dealers to provide a “clear and conspicuous” notice of automated driving systems. And amid the United States’ war with Iran, General Motors also lobbied the Department of Defense on several matters, including “propulsion programs,” “infantry squad vehicle authorization” and “armored vehicle procurement” — all issues the company lobbied on prior to 2026. In addition to
Apr 21, 2026 · via notus.org
As competition intensifies in automotive retail, agencies are rethinking how they approach media buying and client retention. Amol Waishampayan, Co-Founder of fullthrottle.ai, says agencies that move beyond general-purpose demand-side platforms are gaining a measurable advantage by adopting automotive-specific solutions tailored to the industry’s complexities. On today’s episode of Driving Solutions, Waishampayan explains that many agencies still rely on broad platforms such as Google, Amazon, and The Trade Desk. While widely used, these platforms are not designed to address the unique structure of automotive retail, which includes new and used inventory, service operations, and a tiered distribution model. This gap can lead to inefficiencies, missed targeting opportunities, and wasted ad spend. “Automotive is a special industry that has a lot of special considerations across the tiered model and as well as the concept of new and used and service.” Automotive-specific DSPs, by contrast, are built to address these challenges at a granular level. They enable agencies to localize campaigns, align with dealership inventory, and make rapid adjustments to reflect monthly sales cycles. This level of precision allows agencies to better support dealer clients, improve campaign performance, and ultimately strengthen client retention. A key differentiator lies in how these platforms manage identity and audience targeting. Waishampayan notes that automotive DSPs are structured around household-level data, which better reflects how vehicle purchases are made. By incorporating factors such as shared ownership, financing requirements, and consistent address verification, agencies can more accurately identify and engage potential buyers. This approach also enhances measurement capabilities. Instead of relying on traditional performance indicators such as impressions or click-through rates, automotive DSPs allow agencies to connect media spend directly to dealership outcomes. Campaign performance can be evaluated based on tangible results, including new and used vehicle sales and service repair orders, providing a clearer picture of return on
Apr 21, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Texas DMV launches authorization system for automated commercial vehicles AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is launching a new authorization system for companies looking to operate automated motor vehicles. A new goes into effect next month that requires companies using automated vehicles to be authorized by TxDMV with the following requirements: - Complies with all applicable Texas traffic and motor vehicle laws - Is equipped with a recording device - Uses an automated driving system that complies with federal law - Can achieve minimal risk condition in the event of a system failure - Has a proper title and registration - Maintains motor vehicle insurance The process allows companies to submit their applications online through the Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System. The new laws outlined in Senate Bill 2807 go into effect on May 28. Automated vehicles in Texas The backstory: Autonomous driving services are already operating in major Texas cities. Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio are all serviced by the driverless ride-share company Waymo. In Austin, the service has received dozens of complaints about vehicles stalling, speeding and crashing. There have also been complaints of vehicles illegally passing school buses. In March, Swedish company Einride announced plans to bring autonomous freight trucks to Central Texas. The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and previous FOX Local reporting.
Apr 21, 2026 · via fox26houston.com
To help automotive manufacturers improve their acoustic, vibration and mechanical performance processes, Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK) has combined its Discom NVH end‑of‑line (EOL) testing tool with its torque measurement technology. EOL NVH testing plays a critical role in modern automotive manufacturing, verifying the acoustic and dynamic behavior of every unit in production. To support this function, HBK’s NVH EOL solutions have been designed to detect noise, vibration and functional defects before shipment, ensure quality products and enable fast, automated pass/fail decisions. The integration of torque and speed measurement into the NVH test process provides manufacturers with additional insight into mechanical behavior at EOL. The T40Lite torque transducer has been optimized for EOL test benches, so it integrates directly into the Discom NVH system, enabling combined torque, speed, vibration and acoustic measurements. This combined approach supports early detection of imbalance, misalignment and wear, which helps prevent downstream quality issues in series production. Discom by HBK provides a complete end‑of‑line testing solution from a single source, integrating sensors, front‑end hardware, PC racks, analysis software and a big data/AI interface. The system supports 100% testing of e-drive systems, transmissions, gearboxes, actuators, combustion engines, turbochargers, bearings and durability applications, delivering reliable and reproducible measurements under real production conditions. In related news, TraXon 2 hybrid demonstrates emissions reduction potential for heavy commercial vehicles
Apr 21, 2026 · via automotivetestingtechnologyinternational.com
Wayve just secured another $60 million from AMD, Arm, and Qualcomm, adding semiconductor muscle to its already star-studded $1.2 billion Series D. This signals a decisive shift: chipmakers are no longer content to sit behind the scenes—they want a direct hand in shaping the future of autonomous driving platforms [1]. With traditional auto and tech giants already on board, the stakes for platform control and ecosystem dominance just got higher. What is Covered in this Article - Wayve’s $60 million chipmaker investment and its strategic implications - Why AMD, Arm, and Qualcomm are moving upstream in the autonomous vehicle stack - The risk calculus for legacy auto and hyperscaler backers as semiconductor firms crowd in - Execution challenges: platform lock-in, standards, and the battle for developer mindshare The News: Wayve, the U.K.-based self-driving technology startup, has landed an additional $60 million investment from AMD, Arm, and Qualcomm, extending its recent $1.2 billion Series D round [1]. The roster of backers now reads like a who’s who of both the automotive and technology sectors—Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Stellantis, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Uber are all in. But this latest infusion is different. AMD, Arm, and Qualcomm are not just chasing returns; they’re positioning themselves at the heart of the next-generation autonomous driving stack, aiming for more than just silicon supply contracts. This marks a new phase: chipmakers want a direct seat at the platform table, not merely a vendor badge on the box. Will AMD, Arm, and Qualcomm’s Bet on Wayve Rewrite the Self-Driving Tech Playbook? Analyst Take: The lines that used to separate hardware, platforms and application are growing increasingly thin.. When semiconductor leaders jump into a startup’s cap table this late in the game, they aren’t betting on incremental growth. They are aiming to influence the architecture, standards — and ultimately the
Apr 21, 2026 · via futurumgroup.com
A new ‘color’ Lidar breakthrough just made 'hands-off' self-driving cars a reality, experts say — Chinese tech will 'significantly enhance' spatial intelligence and reduce the need to 'guess' objects like traffic lights Hesai says full-color platform delivers “world-leading” capabilities Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. - The world's biggest Lidar maker just unveiled its next-gen technology - The system can detect color, velocity and reflectivity - The tech is expected to hit the market later this year The world's biggest Lidar sensor manufacturer has just announced a next-gen version of its technology that is tipped to give self-driving cars a huge reliability boost. Hesai Group announced this week that its new color-capable Lidar, called its '6D ETX full-color platform', is able to detect the X, Y and Z coordinates of an object, plus its reflectivity, velocity and color, according to the South China Morning Post. Compared to the black-and-white imaging that is currently returned by most systems on the market, Hesai Group’s ability to detect color, as well as any reflectivity and velocity, is expected to vastly improve the speed at which autonomous driving systems can determine and categorize objects, such as road sigs, traffic lights and emergency service vehicles. Article continues belowHesai CEO David Li Yifan claims that the first iterations of the technology will hit the market later this year, stating that they will be the first of their kind. However, the CEO stopped short of revealing which brands would be receiving the Lidar system first. “This is not some kind of market hype,” he said in a media briefing on Friday. “It is a
Apr 21, 2026 · via techradar.com
GM pays $40 million to bring on Tesla alum Sterling Anderson General Motors Co. wooed new executive Sterling Anderson with a $40 million hiring package to leave his Silicon Valley autonomous vehicle startup and join the Detroit automaker in 2025, according to a financial disclosure filed Monday. Anderson received $16 million in 2025 as the company's executive vice president, global product and chief product officer, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The rest of the $24 million will be paid out this year and next. His new-hire package reflects the price GM is willing to pay to bring on experienced tech leaders to speed its progress on self-driving vehicles, EVs, software and other technology as it fights to compete with Chinese automakers. As a top GM executive, Anderson is among potential candidates to succeed CEO Mary Barra, who has led the Detroit automaker since 2014. "The Compensation Committee structured a compensation package for Mr. Anderson that it believed was necessary and appropriate to recruit him to GM from his prior company where he had an influential leadership role and a significant equity interest," according to the filing. "The Committee also sought to ensure that this package offered a competitive and attractive opportunity relative to other possible opportunities he had in the technology industry." Anderson left self-driving commercial vehicle company Aurora Innovation Inc., which he co-founded, to join GM. He previously led Tesla Inc.'s Model X and Autopilot programs. For comparison, Barra received nearly $30 million in 2025. Her total compensation was close to $29.5 million in 2024. President Mark Reuss brought in more than $19 million last year, also up from about $18.5 million in 2024. Both Barra, 64, and Reuss, 62, became eligible for early retirement at the end of last year, according to the filing.
Apr 20, 2026 · via detroitnews.com
Lawyers talk safety threshold for future as driverless cars hit the road NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Waymo launched driverless car operations to the public earlier this month, and while lawyers tell FOX17 News the cars have been safe, they say the safety threshold still needs to be addressed. Waymo tells FOX 17 News' Johnny Maffei that one of its cars, with no driver behind the wheel, is statistically safer than a human driver. Michael McCready of McCready Law says he sees those stats from the company. Still, state and city decision makers need to set specific dates for future companies that will inevitably launch similar operations in Nashville. McCready talked to Maffei about: - The amount of miles cars log - The amount of streets drivers map out - Liability - What you need to know with Terms of Service - What happens when a Waymo stops in the road You can watch their full conversation below: FOX 17 News has been tracking traffic concerns stemming from Waymo's getting stuck. We also obtained officer training and guidance docs from Metro Nashville Police. FOX 17 News got a camera in the passenger seat on launch day around downtown, Midtown and Music Row.
Apr 20, 2026 · via fox17.com
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK), a leading provider of Physical AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, today announced that it will release its first quarter 2026 results after the market closes on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Management will host a conference call to discuss the results the same day at 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT). The call may be accessed through a live audio webcast on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, https://kodiak.ai/investors. An audio replay will be available at the same location. About Kodiak AI, Inc. Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK) was founded in 2018 and is a leading provider of physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) with a focus on AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology designed to help tackle some of the toughest driving jobs. Kodiak's driverless solution can help address the critical problem of safely transporting goods in the face of unprecedented supply chain challenges. Kodiak's vision is to become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation. Kodiak is committed to a safer and more efficient future for all through the commercialization of driverless trucking at scale. To that end, Kodiak developed the Kodiak Driver, a virtual driver that combines advanced AI-powered software with modular and vehicle-agnostic hardware designed to help address Kodiak's customers' needs. The Kodiak Driver is not just an idea—it is operating without anyone in the cab today. Kodiak serves customers in the long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense industries. In 2024, Kodiak believes it achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company to deploy customer-owned and -operated driverless trucks in commercial service. For more information about Kodiak, please visit https://kodiak.ai/investors. Kodiak’s press kit with videos and images can be found HERE. Contacts Kodiak Media Relations Daniel Goff Director of External Affairs +1 646-515-3933 dan@kodiak.ai
Apr 20, 2026 · via markets.businessinsider.com
HOUSTON — Tesla Robotaxis are now operating on Houston streets, marking the latest push by an autonomous vehicle company into the city after Waymo launched its own driverless service back in February. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement online over the weekend. A video posted to the Robotaxi social media page offered a look inside one of the vehicles as rides launched in both Houston and Dallas. But don't go looking for one just anywhere. The service is not widely available and is currently limited to the northwest side of Houston, running along Fairbanks North Houston to FM 1960, between Highway 290 and Highway 249. That puts the operating zone basically in the Jersey Village and Willowbrook area. Riders can book a trip through the Robotaxi app. There's no word yet on when the service might expand to other parts of the city. Houston is becoming something of a proving ground for autonomous ride services. Waymo, the self-driving spinoff from Alphabet (Google), rolled out in the city earlier this year in February. Tesla's entry means Houstonians now have two driverless options competing for their rides, at least in the areas where each service operates. Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include the best way to reach you.
Apr 20, 2026 · via khou.com
Californians took more than 1.2 million rides in commercial self-driving cars in December, a 500% increase in 19 months, according to the Public Utilities Commission. The autonomous vehicle market, which grew from fewer than 200,000 rides statewide in May 2024, was outlined at a conference on the future of the technology in San Francisco on Friday. The annual Autonomous Vehicles and the City Symposium showed how policymakers and regulatory agencies are confronting new problems that arise from the rapidly growing industry. AVs have the potential to reduce traffic deaths because they remove the problem of human error, said Adetokunbo Omishakin, the state Secretary of Transportation. California had about 4,000 traffic fatalities in 2023, according to the state Office of Traffic Safety. “A big responsibility for us is to drive those fatality numbers,” Omishakin said. “Our hope is to reduce the fatality numbers by 30% by reducing crashes caused by human error, AVs hold a powerful potential for saving life.” AVs also may play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the future of automated public transit systems. “If we’re going to be able to achieve those goals, it’s going to continue to take technology to help us,” Omishakin said. “All of these benefits are possible with AVs, but it will take strong partnership and governance and an active commitment to shape the trajectory of this technology into the future.” Balancing regulation and innovation The theme of this year’s symposium focused on the challenges of adopting new policies and regulations while not stifling innovation in the AV industry. “We need to make sure that we are having good regulation to protect public safety and to benefit the public without strangling technology and without putting requirements on AVs that are not possible to meet,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.
Apr 20, 2026 · via localnewsmatters.org
Beamr demonstrated a 31% file size reduction in AV video data compression while maintaining machine learning accuracy during a dSPACE conference. Quiver AI Summary Beamr Imaging Ltd. and dSPACE have announced a demonstration of Beamr's video compression technology at the dSPACE User Conference on April 21-22, 2026, in Novi, Michigan. This joint demonstration highlights Beamr's Content-Adaptive Bitrate compression (CABR) capability, which achieved a 31% reduction in file size for video data from dSPACE's RTMaps, essential for managing the massive amounts of video data generated during autonomous vehicle tests. Importantly, the compression maintained the accuracy of machine learning models used for AV applications, addressing concerns that teams have about data compression. Beyond this demonstration, Beamr and dSPACE plan to explore further stages of ML-safe compression in various AV development processes, reinforcing the significance of efficient data management for scaling autonomous vehicle pipelines. Potential Positives - Beamr achieved a significant 31% reduction in file size for autonomous vehicle (AV) video data while maintaining machine learning (ML) model accuracy, demonstrating the effectiveness of their compression technology in a crucial industry. - The validation of Beamr's technology within the dSPACE RTMaps ecosystem adds credibility and assurance to AV teams, allowing them to reduce data volumes without altering their existing workflows. - Beamr's CABR technology has been recognized for its potential impact across high-growth markets such as media, entertainment, and machine learning, reinforcing the company's leadership in video optimization solutions. Potential Negatives - Forward-looking statements indicate uncertainty regarding future business performance and potential risks, which may signal instability or lack of predictability to investors. - The reliance on partners like dSPACE for validation may raise concerns about Beamr's technology being independently robust outside of this collaboration. - The significant reduction in file size is a positive development; however, the warning that many AV teams hesitate
Apr 20, 2026 · via quiverquant.com
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Apr 20, 2026 · via youtube.com
Rivian’s factory in Normal, Illinois was directly hit by a tornado and sustained damage over the weekend, the company has confirmed to TechCrunch. Nobody was injured, according to Rivian, and staff are still assessing the extent of the damage. The tornado, which had an EF-1 intensity rating, hit what Rivian refers to as “Building 2,” where the company makes its R2 SUV. Rivian has paused operations in the building and expects to start back up sometime this week, according to an email, viewed by TechCrunch, that CEO RJ Scaringe sent to staff on Sunday night. “Thank you to our team members on site who sought safe shelter and followed our emergency management protocols when the tornado alarms sounded,” he wrote. “I am proud of how everyone came together, not just to follow safety protocols, but to support one another and lead the cleanup and repair efforts with such care and determination.” Pictures shared online show that a large section of the roof came down inside the facility. The company didn’t say whether the temporary shutdown will affect the timing of the rollout of the R2, which is supposed to happen in the coming weeks. The tornado hit a newer part of the factory, primarily used for R2 logistics such as deliveries of parts, according to Rivian. “Once we secure the impacted area, we anticipate resuming operations in Building 2 (specifically for R2) this week,” spokesperson Marina Hoffmann said in an email, adding that operations at other facilities continue as planned. Rivian has a lot riding on the launch. The company has invested time, resources, and capital over the last five years to reduce the cost of manufacturing vehicles in its current R1 portfolio. But Rivian still loses money every quarter — in large part, according to Scaringe, because the company
Apr 20, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories. Type at least 3 characters to see fast results. Press / or ⌘K anytime. Searching… No fast matches found. Press Enter to see full results. Apr 20, 2026 Uber Commits Over $10 Billion to Autonomous Vehicle Sector According to a report from TechCrunch Mobility, the Financial Times has calculated that Uber has committed more than $10 billion to buying autonomous vehicles and taking equity stakes in the companies developing the technology. This figure is based on public records and discussions with sources. About $2.5 billion of that is in direct investments, with the remaining $7.5 billion to be spent on buying robotaxis over the next few years. Uber has made numerous investments and deals with autonomous vehicle companies across drones, robotaxis, and freight. This significant financial commitment brings to mind a previous transformative era for the company. Uber pursued an asset-heavy strategy between 2015 and 2018, launching projects like an air taxi division and an in-house autonomous vehicle unit, while also acquiring a micromobility startup. In 2020, Uber divested these major projects, selling them to other companies but retaining equity stakes. The company is now entering a new and different asset-heavy era. Rather than developing the core technology in-house, it appears to be focused on owning or leasing the physical assets. Owning fleets of robotaxis built by other companies might not have been the original vision of Uber, or its former CEO, who has said the company made a mistake when it abandoned its autonomous vehicle development program. But this new approach could still get it to the same end point. The scale of these expenditures may lead to notable entries on the company's financial statements in the future. Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report. # Company
Apr 20, 2026 · via indexbox.io
Beamr (BMR) and dSPACE show ML-safe AV video compression with 31% size cut Filing Impact Filing Sentiment Form Type 6-K Rhea-AI Filing Summary Beamr Imaging Ltd. filed a Form 6-K highlighting a joint demonstration with dSPACE that validates “ML-safe” video compression for autonomous vehicle data inside the dSPACE RTMaps ecosystem. Testing on real-world sequences showed Beamr’s Content-Adaptive Bitrate (CABR) compression delivered 31% file size reduction versus baseline encodes and 97% reduction versus uncompressed data while preserving machine learning model accuracy. The companies plan to extend ML-safe compression testing to additional stages such as video data simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Beamr positions this capability as helping AV teams reduce data volumes and infrastructure demands without rebuilding existing RTMaps-based workflows. Positive - None. Negative - None. Key Figures File size reduction vs baseline: 31% reduction File size reduction vs uncompressed: 97% reduction Prior benchmark reduction: Up to 50% reduction +2 more 5 metrics File size reduction vs baseline 31% reduction CABR compression on real-world AV video sequences in dSPACE RTMaps File size reduction vs uncompressed 97% reduction CABR compression vs uncompressed AV video data Prior benchmark reduction Up to 50% reduction ML-safe video compression across AV pipeline in previous benchmarks Object detection accuracy change <2% difference in mAP Impact of CABR on object detection mean Average Precision Patents 53 patents Intellectual property backing Beamr’s CABR technology Key Terms ML-safe compression, Content-Adaptive Bitrate compression (CABR), RTMaps, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, +2 more 6 terms ML-safe compression technical "validating, for the first time, compression for autonomous vehicle (AV) video data ... while preserving machine learning (ML) model accuracy" ml-safe compression is a method of shrinking datasets or media so machine learning models can still read and learn from them without losing important signals or introducing bias. For investors, it matters because it can lower storage
Apr 20, 2026 · via stocktitan.net
Under a Standing General Order issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), companies testing or deploying Automated Driving Systems (ADS) on public roads are required to report crash data. A dive into the latest publicly available incident reports offers a look not just at how these vehicles are crashing, but how different companies approach transparency. Comparing Tesla's data against competitors like Waymo and Zoox reveals stark differences in fleet exposure, the nature of the collisions, and a massive gap in public reporting practices. The Incident Volume Looking at the raw numbers, the dataset contains 825 total reported ADS incidents. Waymo accounts for the vast majority of these, with 697 reported crashes. They are followed by Avride (41), Zoox (32), and Tesla (18). It is important to provide context for these figures. Waymo operates a massive, fully autonomous robotaxi fleet actively driving millions of miles in densely populated urban centers like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Their higher incident volume is a direct reflection of this massive fleet exposure in chaotic environments. Tesla's relatively low number of 18 incidents in this specific ADS reporting category also reflects the much smaller and slower-than-expected rollout of Robotaxi. Incidents with FSD (Supervised) are not counted in this dataset, as they are not from an Unsupervised L4 Autonomous Vehicle but rather from an L2+ system that is still supervised by consumers. What Do AVs Hit Most? The NHTSA data categorizes what the autonomous vehicles collided with, shedding light on the different challenges these systems face. Because of their heavy urban presence, Waymo vehicles primarily collide with standard city traffic. Their data shows 229 collisions with passenger cars, 161 with SUVs, and dozens of impacts with heavy trucks and city buses. Tesla's 18 reported crashes show a slightly different pattern. The most common
Apr 20, 2026 · via notateslaapp.com