Rivian capacity boost Rivian raises Georgia plant capacity to 300,000 vehicles in optimised phase-one plan A restructured build programme and renegotiated DOE loan set the stage for R2 production at scale from late 2028 Rivian has announced a major revision to its manufacturing plans for its future facility in Stanton Springs North, Georgia, increasing initial annual production capacity by 50% — from 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles. The move compresses what had previously been a two-phase build-out into a single, larger first phase, with the company stating the restructured approach will lower cost per unit while offering meaningful flexibility for further expansion in subsequent phases. The announcement comes alongside a renegotiated loan with the US Department of Energy's Office (DOE) of Energy Dominance Financing. The updated agreement is valued at up to $4.5 billion — comprising $4,006m in principal and $494m in capitalised interest — reduced from the $6.6 billion conditional commitment finalised in January 2025. Rivian says the revised loan is aligned with the updated single-phase facility design, and critically, the company now expects to make its first draw on the loan by early 2027, a full year ahead of the prior schedule. R2 dramatically expands our market opportunity. The thousands of dedicated people who will soon work in our Georgia plant will be instrumental to Rivian’s growth as we scale American manufacturing Vertical construction at the Stanton Springs North site is set to begin this spring and the OEM says preparations are already underway for the development of the stamping press area. Rivian describes this as one of the most capital-intensive and technically demanding elements of the plant from a construction perspective. The pace of activity is expected to accelerate through the summer as the facility's primary buildings take shape. Vehicle production remains on track to commence in late
May 1, 2026 · via automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com
Senator Dave Cortese Responds to California DMV Autonomous Vehicle Regulations, Reaffirms Push for SB 1246 SAN JOSE, CA – California State Senator Dave Cortese (District 15) issued the following statement in response to new regulations from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding the operation and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in California: “The California DMV’s proposed AV regulations reinforce exactly why I introduced Senate Bill 1246 — because innovation without accountability cannot be tolerated when public safety is at stake. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I convened a major informational hearing earlier this year bringing together industry leaders, first responders, safety advocates, labor representatives, crash survivors, and state regulators to confront the growing gaps in oversight surrounding autonomous vehicle deployment in California. That hearing made one thing unmistakably clear: the pace of autonomous vehicle deployment is rapidly outstripping the pace of public safeguards and regulatory accountability. Panelists and witnesses raised serious concerns regarding safety performance, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, emergency response coordination, fragmented regulatory authority, and the lack of transparency surrounding crashes and incidents involving autonomous systems already operating on California roads. We also heard heartbreaking testimony from individuals directly impacted by autonomous driving technology failures — a sobering reminder that these are not theoretical risks. These vehicles are operating today on the same streets used by families, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency responders. Senate Bill 1246 was introduced to strengthen safety standards, improve reporting requirements, close dangerous regulatory loopholes, and ensure Californians are not treated as test subjects for unfinished technology. The DMV’s action signals growing recognition that stronger oversight is needed. But regulations alone are not enough unless they are paired with meaningful transparency, enforceable accountability, and a commitment to putting public safety ahead of corporate speed-to-market pressures. California has long led the world in innovation. We
May 1, 2026 · via sd15.senate.ca.gov
- Hypercraft launched Razorback, an autonomous UGV with a 300 hp diesel hybrid-electric drivetrain, 2,400 lb payload, 280-mile range, and 38 kW exportable power. - The software-defined, MOSA-compliant platform supports counter-UAS, contested logistics, EW relay, casualty evacuation, and mobile power generation without a human crew. A Utah defense technology company has launched an autonomous ground vehicle that carries 2,400 pounds of payload, travels 280 miles on a single charge, and exports 38 kilowatts of power to charge drones, run directed energy weapons, and sustain forward command posts. It’s all without a human on board. Hypercraft, based in Provo, Utah, announced the official launch of Razorback, a next-generation autonomous unmanned ground vehicle designed as a software-defined mission platform for high-consequence environments. The company describes Razorback as a flexible, distributed autonomous operations node — a platform that replaces fixed logistics infrastructure and personnel-heavy forward operations with a vehicle that can autonomously deliver supplies, generate power, relay communications, conduct counter-UAS missions, and evacuate casualties across the same contested terrain that makes those missions dangerous for human crews in the first place. The powertrain architecture that enables those capabilities is a diesel hybrid-electric system featuring a 50 kilowatt range extender with 95 kilowatt peak output, driving a combined 300 horsepower four-motor torque-vectoring system. Four independent motors mean that if one or more are damaged in combat, the vehicle continues operating — a redundancy design that reflects the reality that autonomous platforms operating forward will take hits and need to keep moving anyway. The same redundancy logic applies to the range extender and energy storage system: damage to either does not end the mission. At 60 miles per hour top speed and a 280-mile operational range, Razorback covers ground at a pace that keeps it relevant to the tactical formations it supports rather than trailing
May 1, 2026 · via defence-blog.com
Renishaw Inc. will exhibit its latest advanced manufacturing and precision measurement technologies at XPONENTIAL 2026, taking place May 11-14 at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. Hosted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), XPONENTIAL is the world’s leading event for robotics, autonomy, and uncrewed systems, bringing together industry, government, and technology leaders as autonomous systems move from development into real-world deployment. At this year’s event, Renishaw (Booth #10018) will highlight its comprehensive portfolio of Additive Manufacturing (AM) systems, high-performance encoders, and industrial metrology solutions, supporting the development and production of next-generation autonomous platforms across air, land, and sea. Supporting the future of autonomous systems As autonomy scales across industries, from aerospace and defense to mobility and infrastructure, manufacturers face increasing demands for precision, reliability, and production efficiency. Renishaw’s technologies are designed to meet these challenges by enabling high-quality part production, accurate motion control and traceable measurement throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Renishaw’s additive manufacturing systems will be showcased as a solution for producing complex, lightweight components optimized for performance-critical applications. These capabilities are particularly valuable in autonomous systems, where design flexibility and weight reduction directly impact range, payload capacity and energy efficiency. Precision motion with advanced encoders Renishaw’s encoder technologies will also be featured, delivering high-accuracy position and motion feedback essential for robotics, autonomous vehicles and precision control systems. These solutions support stable, repeatable performance in demanding environments, helping engineers achieve greater system accuracy and reliability. Ensuring quality with metrology solutions In addition, Renishaw will present its metrology solutions, including probing systems and measurement technologies that enable manufacturers to verify part quality, reduce scrap, and maintain process control. These tools are critical for ensuring the consistency and safety of components used in autonomous and mission-critical applications. Visit Renishaw at XPONENTIAL 2026 XPONENTIAL 2026 is expected to bring together thousands
May 1, 2026 · via aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com
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May 1, 2026 · via cbs8.com
SAN DIEGO — California's Department of Motor Vehicles has issued new regulations that will allow law enforcement officers to issue traffic tickets directly to autonomous vehicle companies operating robtaxis, rather than to drivers who don't exist. The new rules take effect July 1 and coincide with Waymo's preparation to launch its driverless taxi service in San Diego mid-year. A legal gap emerged after recent high-profile incidents involving autonomous vehicles. In one case, a Waymo vehicle in San Bruno was pulled over after making an illegal U-turn, but police had no driver to ticket under previous regulations. The new approach holds companies accountable for violations committed by their vehicles. Waymo operates driverless taxis in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Phoenix and Atlanta. While the company cites its own data showing fewer accidents by Waymo taxis compared to human drivers, several incidents have raised safety concerns. Multiple violations have drawn public attention in recent months. In September, a Waymo was caught on camera blowing past a school bus in Atlanta with its red lights flashing—a violation that would cost human drivers $1,000. In December, a blackout in San Francisco caused more than a thousand Waymo robotaxis to stall at intersections, creating major traffic disruptions. In November, a Waymo stalled in front of a fire truck in San Francisco. Many San Diego residents support the new ticketing rules. "I think that's a good idea. Because who is accountable if they do anything wrong? It is literally a driverless vehicle," said Reveigh Gautier. "If they're breaking the law, anyone should. Anyone, right? There's no one driving. Whoever the owner is," said Bill Kilgore. California is calling these new rules "the most comprehensive AV regulations in the nation." Repeated or serious infractions could lead to the state suspending or revoking a company's driverless car permit.
May 1, 2026 · via cbs8.com
What Happens When AI Runs Everything? Futurists Talk Future at Dreame’s Nebula Next 01 Launch From robot-run households to self-writing code, futurists at Dreame’s event sketch an AI future that’s exciting—and a little spooky. In late April, the Chinese R&D firm Dreame, best known to Americans for its home appliances, held a launch event for an entire range of new products, including an all-new four-door sports car—the Nebula Next 01. Because Dreame touts the use of artificial intelligence (AI) both in the design of its products and the end-user experience, the company convened a panel of renowned forward thinkers to kick around a bigger question: what kind of future those same AI tools might create. Here are some of the most prescient, provocative—and disquieting—things they had to say. Can AI Boost Human Productivity 100x in 10 Years? Former Microsoft “Technical Evangelist” and tech-futurist blogger Robert Scoble says “We’re going to have something like a Neuralink device, or brain-computer interface. You’re going to think, and a humanoid robot is going to do. So, does that mean 100 times more productive? Can one guy with one Neuralink run 1,000 robots? Maybe that guy is going to have 1,000 times more productivity.” AI Learning and Teaching Former Director of AI Transformation at Microsoft, William Fong, referred to the case of programming autonomous vehicles. “We weren't successful for years because [humans] were trying to teach the computer. When we finally got out of the way five or ten years ago and let machines teach the machine, we had an exponential increase in the results. Now we have autonomous vehicles. “And if you apply that same model, can we elevate human learning—100-percent literacy across the globe? With the power of AI teaching, elevating human learning at a rate we’ve never seen before, what might that
May 1, 2026 · via motortrend.com
Shares of Hertz (NASDAQ:HTZ) are up 13% on Thursday at roughly $6.35, while Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ:CAR | CAR Price Prediction) stock is only up 2% to around $184.50. The contrast here is notable. Yesterday, both names cratered together, with Avis stock down 18% and Hertz stock down 5% in sympathy. Today, the two stocks are moving at different speeds on very different catalysts. The HTZ rally caps a wild stretch. The stock is up 42% over the past month and 24% year to date (YTD). Avis is up 45% YTD, though it has pulled back sharply from recent highs. Oro Mobility and Uber Power the Hertz Surge Hertz announced via a Business Wire press release dated April 30, at 8:00 a.m. EDT that it has launched an affiliate operating company called Oro Mobility (Oro). Oro and Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) unveiled two strategic fleet partnerships. The first is autonomous robotaxi fleet management. Oro will support Uber’s autonomous robotaxi program of Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) vehicles equipped with Nuro autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, handling charging, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and depot staffing. The service is expected to launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year. The second is a driver-led fleet program already active in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with Northern New Jersey expected to launch this spring. Oro supplies the vehicles and the drivers on the Uber platform. Hertz CEO Gil West asserted, “Hertz has spent over a century mastering complex fleet operations at scale, and Oro is how we put that expertise to work in the next era of mobility.” Uber Chief Operating Officer (COO) Andrew Macdonald added that the partnership will “help us continue to bring the best autonomous technology onto the Uber platform and accelerate the transition to a hybrid network.” Avis Stock Declines After
May 1, 2026 · via 247wallst.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
Waymo self-driving cars could come to Portland, Disability Rights Oregon talks safety
PORTLAND, Ore. — Self-driving cars could soon be on the streets of Portland.
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has begun early testing by manually driving vehicles across the city as it prepares for a potential rollout. The move has sparked strong reactions—some residents are excited about innovation, while others raise concerns about safety and impacts on rideshare drivers.
READ MORE | No Driver, No Problem: Waymo eyes Portland streets
On Thursday, KATU News talked with Tom Stenson of Disability Rights Oregon.
He spoke about what autonomous vehicles could mean for accessibility, especially for people with disabilities. You can watch the full interview below:
Starting this week, Waymo will operate vehicles with human drivers to help its autonomous system learn Portland’s roads, bridges and high-traffic corridors. The company said it will follow its established safety framework as it prepares for eventual public service.
May 1, 2026 · via katu.com
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Apr 30, 2026 · via sfgate.com
Evacuations can be hectic. They can also be dangerous for those driving the equipment needed, which is why Polaris and defense group, Forterra, have designed the CASEVAC, an autonomous side-by-side built to get wounded soldiers and civilians out in a hurry. One of the toughest missions within the world's military apparatus is that of evacuations. Not only getting supplies in and out, but getting people, both wounded and not, in and out. It's dangerous work, including for those manning the vehicles designed to do the job. But that's exactly the sort of thing this autonomous Polaris Ranger XD side-by-side was built to do. Built in conjunction with Polaris Defense, the company's military arm, and Forterra, an autonomous vehicle developer out of West Valley, Utah, just over the mountains from my own home, the design brief was simple: build an autonomous CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) vehicle that could conquer terrain. The duo landed on the Polaris Ranger XD, the stouter cousin to the standard Ranger, with a better payload and towing capacities, and integrated systems that would work for the intended mission. What's wild is that the whole thing looks like an old-school lead sled, i.e., the roof's been chopped, and all you notice are the half doors that likely hold the access points to the vehicle's internal systems. Neat. Semper Fi According to Forterra, the vehicle is called the Mesa, and was "Built on a factory modified Polaris Ranger XD 1500 platform, the MESA integrates Forterra’s AutoDrive and Vektor mission modules into a scalable system that delivers mobility, compute, communications and sensing at the edge and Polaris’ robust vehicle platform." The resulting vehicle has a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds and a flat deck, which offers military operations a host of possibilities on the battlefield, including the aforementioned CASEVAC operations, logistics
Apr 30, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
HOUSTON, Texas — Bot Auto has successfully booked, moved and delivered the American autonomous trucking industry’s first fully humanless, over-the-road commercial truckload. The 230-mile route from Riggy’s Truck Parking in northeast Houston, Texas, to Safe Stop in Hutchins, just south of Dallas, marks Bot Auto’s first commercial load delivered without a safety driver onboard, without relying on any low-latency remote human feedback, and without an in-cab observer. Proving Commercial Viability According to a company press release, with this run, Bot Auto has demonstrated that autonomous trucking is not just a technical achievement. It is a real commercial solution and a new source of dependable capacity for shippers moving freight across Texas. The overnight lane was booked by Bot Auto’s broker partner, Ryan Transportation, and was selected to support a shipper with a tight delivery window and a high bar for service consistency. This is the kind of freight traditional capacity often struggles to cover reliably. Autonomous trucks do not face fatigue, hours-of-service limits or the scheduling constraints that can lead to missed pickup or delivery windows. “At Ryan Transportation, we’re constantly evaluating new solutions that enhance service, safety and reliability for our shipper partners,” said Jeff Henderson, senior vice president at Ryan. “Forming this partnership is a strategic decision based on Bot Auto’s proven technology and the role autonomous trucking will play long-term in logistics. It will strengthen our ability to provide dependable, high-frequency capacity on time-sensitive freight while maintaining the operational standards our customers expect.” According to the release, the run was not a demonstration. It was a commercial delivery, executed on a customer’s timeline, for a customer’s freight, to a customer’s dock, through an operating model that does not depend on hidden human layers or special-purpose infrastructure. Safe, Transparent and Fully Documented Bot Auto believes the path to
Apr 30, 2026 · via thetrucker.com
Rivian has reworked its loan deal with the Department of Energy and now expects to borrow $4.5 billion to build its new factory in Georgia, down from the original amount of $6.6 billion allocated under the Biden administration. The company also announced Thursday that it will draw on the loan sooner than planned, in early 2027, and expects to increase the total capacity of the Georgia plant from 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles in its initial phase of operation. The larger capacity — a 50% increase over its initial plans — will help lower its per unit costs, while also providing significant room for future expansion of capacity in later phases, the company said Thursday. Rivian has previously said the Georgia factory would have a total capacity of 400,000 vehicles. While the initial phase, which is tied to the DOE loan, has been increased, Rivian did not share what its plans are for the second phase. The original plan was for two 200,000-vehicle capacity phases at the Georgia site. The company’s factory in Normal, Illinois has a 215,000-vehicle capacity. During the earnings call, CFO Claire McDonough didn’t share what capacity that second phase would be, except to say that it was reserved for future expansion. “The strategic decision that we took was to increase the initial phase of production capacity to the 300,000 units,” she said on the call. “On our Georgia site, the full initial capacity will be put on the upper pad at the site. So we have the lower pad, which is still going to be entirely untouched green field for future expansion.” She noted the importance of this $4.5 billion funding was to allow Riven to scale its operation up to 515,000 units of overall capacity. That figure is 100,000 lower than Rivian’s previously stated combined capacity
Apr 30, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Woman dead after SUV smashes into building in Downtown Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A woman is dead after an SUV crashed into a building on Thursday morning in Downtown Fresno.
The Fresno Police Department says officers first responded to multiple calls around 7:20 a.m. for a single-vehicle crash into a building and a water leak near Venture and R Streets.
When they arrived, they found one vehicle with its front end smashed into a building, with a 34-year-old female driver and 19-year-old female passenger inside.
[RELATED] Man killed after being caught between semi-truck and trailer at Fresno repair yard
The driver was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
The passenger was taken to the hospital with complaints of pain.
Initial investigations show that the vehicle was driving west on R Street when it crashed into Factory 41.
The crash also caused a leak in a water line.
Officers believe alcohol may be involved.
The crash is still under investigation.
Cesar Chavez Boulevard is closed from Topeka Avenue to Hazelwood Boulevard.
Apr 30, 2026 · via kmph.com
Bosch and Kodiak AI are moving quickly from partnership to production as the two companies begin integrating and validating key hardware components for autonomous trucking at scale. Kodiak said Bosch has started delivering critical hardware, including camera systems, as part of a strategic collaboration announced earlier this year. The two companies announced their autonomous technology partnership at CES earlier this year. The components are now being tested within Kodiak’s proprietary SensorPods. These are modular units that house the sensors powering the Kodiak Driver autonomous system. The companies say the work marks a meaningful step toward building a production-grade, redundant platform designed for high-volume deployment of driverless trucks. From Strategy to Engineering Execution Since announcing their collaboration in January, Bosch and Kodiak have shifted rapidly into hands-on engineering work, completing early prototype integrations and beginning validation of key systems. Kodiak is currently testing Bosch camera systems and evaluating vehicle actuation components, signaling progress across both perception and control layers of the autonomous stack. “The quick transition to tangible engineering progress underscores the velocity behind this collaboration,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak AI. “We are deep into the ‘how’ of high-volume production.” SensorPods Key to Modular Design At the center of the effort is Kodiak’s SensorPod architecture, which is designed to streamline installation, maintenance, and scalability of autonomous hardware. By integrating Bosch sensors into these pods, Kodiak is aiming to create a modular, serviceable system that can be more easily deployed across fleets. That, it said, is a critical requirement for commercial viability. The companies are showcasing the SensorPods with Bosch hardware at ACT Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, offering a first look at how the integrated system is taking shape. Building a Redundant, Production-Ready Platform The collaboration is focused on delivering a fully integrated autonomous driving platform that
Apr 30, 2026 · via truckinginfo.com
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Apr 29, 2026 · via youtube.com
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Apr 29, 2026 · via kvue.com
A deadly shooting at an Austin bar last month is raising questions about how self-driving vehicles affect emergency response. At a City Council committee meeting on Wednesday, Council Member Zo Qadri shared video taken by a bystander that showed a Waymo vehicle blocking an ambulance that was responding to the incident. Officials with the Austin Police Department said an officer was able to manually drive the Waymo vehicle out of the way, but it took a few minutes. Officials said the incident did not significantly hinder emergency response, but it shines a light on how autonomous vehicles can cause traffic delays and pose safety issues. Qadri's district includes Buford's, the bar where the shooting took place. He said public safety comes first. "We want to make sure innovation does not come at the expense of safety," Qadri said. "And we want the community to understand what is happening on our roads." Austin streets have been a testing ground for self-driving vehicles, operated by companies like Waymo, Tesla and Avride. During Wednesday's meeting, first responders highlighted issues with self-driving cars driving through flooded roads and train barricades. They said autonomous vehicles typically obey traffic signals, but there have been several instances when an officer was directing traffic, and autonomous cars disregarded their directions. Representatives for Waymo did not attend Wednesday's meeting. A spokesperson with the company said their teams have already had "substantive conversations" with city and state leaders. "Safety is fundamental to everything we do and that means taking responsibility and always improving based on what we learn," the company said in a written statement. "We will keep working with Austin's leadership and first responder community, because ongoing collaboration is how we build the trust this city deserves and make Austin's streets safer." A Waymo spokesperson said it had provided
Apr 29, 2026 · via tpr.org
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin city leaders are calling for greater transparency and stronger safety measures for autonomous vehicles following a high-profile incident that raised concerns about how the technology performs in emergencies. During a special meeting on Wednesday, members of the City Council’s Public Safety and Mobility Committee reviewed issues involving self-driving vehicles, including a viral video showing a Waymo blocking an ambulance responding to the deadly March 1 mass shooting on West Sixth Street. A Waymo spokesperson told KVUE on Monday the company has already discussed the incident with city and state leaders, sharing lessons learned and potential improvements. However, the company declined an invitation to attend Wednesday’s public meeting – something some council members criticized because they felt Austinites should hear directly from company representatives. “We want greater transparency, accountability and public understanding,” said Mobility Committee Vice Chair Zo Qadri, whose district includes Sixth Street. Concerns go beyond one incident City leaders emphasized the ambulance delay was not an isolated issue. During the meeting, Austin Fire Battalion Chief Matt Holmes testified that first responders used hand signals to try to move up to five Waymos stacked up at Guadalupe and Sixth streets, with ambulances stacking behind them. “They tried for several minutes, reporting that the light at that intersection cycled several times, but unfortunately those tactics were not successful," said Holmes. "Then those personnel actually had to make contact with the Waymo, talk to remote assist, and then eventually the Waymos were able to proceed out of the transportation corridor.” In response, a Waymo representative told KVUE that traffic passed on the right side of the stuck autonomous vehicle and that no emergency vehicles were directly blocked. They also noted pedestrians were crossing in front of their AV as it was determining when to proceed through the light.
Apr 29, 2026 · via kvue.com