Councilmember proposes legislation to bring self-driving cars to DC WASHINGTON (7News) — A small but growing number of companies are testing autonomous vehicles, like robotaxis, in Washington, D.C. Under current D.C. law, an operator is still required to be behind the wheel. Because of that requirement, companies testing autonomous vehicles in the District remain in the testing stage rather than offering fully autonomous rides to the public. Councilmember Charles Allen announced legislation to allow the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) offering rideshare services in the city. RELATED | Self-driving cars being tested in DC | What this means for the future of jobs, transit The "Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026": - Requires AV rideshare services provide equal coverage to every neighborhood, including similar wait times, whether you live in Shaw or Congress Heights; - Clarifies legal liability for crashes and malfunctions to protect DC residents; - Requires operators to collaborate with WMATA on potential discounts when AVs connect directly to public transit; - Ensures first responders receive guidance from AV operators on how to safely respond to crashes involving an AV; - Ensures operators have redundancy plans in the event of a regional power loss; and - Establishes robust data reporting requirements so the District can evaluate impacts on traffic, safety, and rideshare industry employment. The bill charges AV rideshare companies a “vehicle miles traveled” (VMT) fee per vehicle and splits the revenue between new funding for WMATA and workforce development and support for current rideshare workers. The bill also proposes a discount on rides to and from a Metro station. “This legislation creates a path to deliver autonomous - or driverless - vehicles as a rideshare option in the District of Columbia,” said Allen. “People want AVs as an option to get around, and I
Apr 24, 2026 · via wjla.com
Chinese EV makers bet on in-house chips to make cars smarter and more autonomous
Chinese EV makers are showcasing advanced in-house chips at Auto China, powering smarter vehicles and challenging global tech leaders
“If we use chips provided by third-party suppliers, we cannot guarantee that the chips would cater to our needs in developing lidar sensors,” said David Li Yifan, CEO of Hesai, the world’s largest maker of lidar sensors for cars, at a media briefing last week. “We want to design and make the chips ourselves because no one else specifically develops chiplets for a lidar maker.”
Computing power has been in high demand over the past decade as Chinese EV makers have doubled down on smart vehicles, banking on artificial intelligence and digital technologies to make vehicles more autonomous and comfortable.
A system-on-chip (SoC) that processes data from a vehicle’s cameras and sensors offers strong computing power to support rapidly evolving intelligent features.
Xpeng’s indigenous Turing chip, designed for level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, was three times more powerful than Nvidia’s Drive Orin X installed in its existing smart vehicles, according to He Xiaopeng, CEO of the Guangzhou-based EV maker.
Apr 24, 2026 · via scmp.com
Huawei doubles down on autonomous driving, earmarking US$11.7b for autopilot training Company claims it will outspend all rivals combined to boost computing power, which is essential to enhance advanced driving systems The massive capital expenditure would enhance the reliability of cars fitted with the Huawei Qiankun ADS autopilot system, as the Shenzhen-based tech giant looked to expand its customer base, said Jin Yuzhi, CEO of Huawei’s intelligent automotive solutions business unit. In 2026 alone, Huawei would earmark 18 billion yuan for research and development in autonomous driving, he added. “Autonomous driving is an industry requiring long-term investment,” Jin said at an event in Beijing on Thursday. “Based on our investment of 18 billion yuan in smart driving this year, we will spend more than the combined expense of all other major [autonomous driving] solution providers.” Computing power plays a key role in improving self-driving capabilities by processing data collected during training and testing of advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs). Huawei’s Qiankun ADS platform surpassed 10 billion kilometres of autonomous driving early this month. Autopilot features powered by the platform are widely used in mainland China. Huawei has partnerships with 25 car brands, and Qiankun has been installed in more than 50 models. A total of 1.7 million vehicles fitted with the system have been delivered to Chinese customers.
Apr 24, 2026 · via amp.scmp.com
Kakao Mobility unveiled its vision to internalize Level 4 autonomous driving technologies and build a collaborative ecosystem as part of its strategy for the emerging physical AI era. Kim Jin-kyu, vice president and head of the Physical AI division at Kakao Mobility, presented the company's roadmap at the 2026 World IT Show conference held at COEX in Seoul on April 22 under the theme "The Future of Autonomous Driving Services Opened by Mobility Platforms in the Physical AI Era." "Amid intensifying global competition for technological leadership, Kakao Mobility is designing the future of mobility in Korea by combining advanced autonomous driving technologies with physical infrastructure," Kim said. "We aim to establish a K-autonomous driving open ecosystem to secure global competitiveness." Level 4 Autonomy Push Backed by Integrated Safety Platform Kim outlined a blueprint for achieving Level 4 autonomous driving, emphasizing the integration of three core technological pillars. First, the company is developing advanced machine learning models capable of independently handling perception, decision-making and control. Second, it plans to deploy vehicles with redundancy-based architectures to ensure safety even in the event of critical system failures. Third, it will utilize a validation platform that continuously cycles between virtual simulations and real-world driving data to enhance performance and ensure quality. Kakao Mobility is also focusing on strengthening service reliability through its intelligent integrated safety management platform. A 3D visualization solution, Autonomous Vehicle Visualizer, enables real-time sharing of a vehicle's field of view, allowing passengers to monitor driving conditions. The company plans to further enhance safety by developing a 24/7 control center and an anomaly detection system based on vision-language models, enabling real-time context analysis, remote intervention and rapid response during emergencies. Open Ecosystem Strategy to Support Industry Growth Kakao Mobility also pledged to contribute to the development of an open ecosystem by sharing
Apr 24, 2026 · via thelec.net
April 23, 2026 01:20 PM EDT
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How to protect your dealership from AI website cloning scams before they damage your reputation
Fraudsters create fake dealership websites using AI to scam consumers out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Fraudsters create fake dealership websites using AI to scam consumers out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Apr 23, 2026 · via autonews.com
An automated parking garage coming to downtown Raleigh could be a "catalyst" for furthering conversations for driverless cars in the city, says Mayor Janet Cowell. The city has approved the permitting for a 228-space automated parking deck that will be part of the greater Gateway Corridor project, located at 130 Kindley Street. Other WRAL Top Stories Christopher Alan, CEO of AUTOParkit, previously told WRAL the technology for the kiosk-like system can accommodate all car types, including driverless vehicles. He told WRAL this April while the company currently does not have a project in the United States that houses autonomous vehicles, there have been active discussions to make that a reality. "We would like to," Alan said. "We've had talks on the perimeter, and hopefully those will move forward, but multiple facilities that are capable." When asked for comment for the initial story earlier this April, Mayor Cowell responded, acknowledging the city has previously engaged in "very high-level introductory conversations" about it. "It’s been a while - more than a year - but, the City has engaged in very high-level introductory conversations with driverless car companies," she wrote. About the AUTOParkit deck specifically: "A project like the Kindley Street project could certainly be a catalyst to furthering conversations in Raleigh." Mayor Cowell also told WRAL that many of the city's major roads, being state-owned and maintained, would need to be involved in potential planning. WRAL sought comment from NCDOT, to which a spokesperson said while autonomous vehicle testing is rising in North Carolina, there have not been any new inquiries from other companies to locate to Raleigh since Waymo's deployment to Charlotte: Over the years, NCDOT has spoken with several companies about self-driving technologies. We are encouraging self-driving technology and are eager to discuss it with any interested companies. We recognize
Apr 23, 2026 · via wral.com
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Apr 23, 2026 · via youtube.com
After over a decade of promising that fully autonomous driving is right around the corner, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has yet to bring his ambitious vision to fruition. In early 2019, Tesla started installing a system called Hardware 3 (HW3) in its cars, which according to Musk would enable what the company continues to misleadingly refer to as “Full Self-Driving” (FSD). (As it currently exists, the feature still requires owners to be ready to take over the wheel at any point.) Over the next four years, Tesla sold millions of vehicles with the hardware, only for Musk to finally admit in January 2025 that HW3 actually wasn’t good enough after all, and that a retrofit would be required to enable fully autonomous driving. The news came to the dismay of countless owners who shelled out thousands of additional dollars to access FSD, and who claim Musk had lied to them all these years, triggering numerous class action lawsuits. During Wednesday’s earnings call, the mercurial CEO put it as bluntly as ever. “Unfortunately, Hardware 3 — I wish it were otherwise — but Hardware 3 simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised FSD,” he said, saying that its “memory bandwidth” is the “chokepoint.” Tesla introduced a confusingly-named version of the software, called “FSD (Supervised)” in April 2024, while an “unsupervised” version would seemingly refer to actual, autonomous driving. Despite Musk first making the concession well over a year ago, Tesla has yet to make good on its promise of providing millions of owners with the necessary hardware upgrade — a process that will be long and painful. Musk explained during this week’s call that Tesla is now looking into constructing “microfactories” in cities to retrofit HW3 vehicles with a new computer and camera system. “I do think over time
Apr 23, 2026 · via futurism.com
I feel safer in a Waymo than an Uber. Am I wrong? Tell us here. | Opinion Would you ride in a Waymo? Is an AI-powered rideshare service safer than a human-driven one? Take our poll on autonomous vehicles below. One of the first times I rode in a Waymo, we got stuck in an accident. To be clear: It wasn’t our accident. A vehicle collision had taken over a major intersection in the middle of our route. It was one of those crashes that blocked traffic just enough to be an inconvenience, to require a quick-thinking, crafty driver – a human, if you would – to figure out a workaround. Waymo, as you may know, is an autonomous rideshare company. No one is in the driver’s seat. (And don’t even think about touching the steering wheel.) I sat there, helpless, as drivers around us maneuvered into our lane, figuring out long before our artificially intelligent pilot that to make a right-hand turn, you now had to go through a gas station parking lot. Simple! Smart! Not for Waymo. Waymo is coming to a city near you. Would you ride in one? Fortunately, after a series of increasingly embarrassing and jerky start-stops, tiny turns and “rerouting … rerouting …” confusion, the little white car finally figured it out. That was years ago, right around the time these robotaxis became ubiquitous in Phoenix. Since then, I’ve experienced a series of mishaps from the ridiculous (like most American drivers, they struggle with roundabouts) to the dangerous (literally being dropped on the side of the road – a major thoroughfare during rush hour). I’ve witnessed Waymo blockades like the recent one in downtown Nashville. I’ve even encountered an errant pair of underwear on the floor of the backseat. (Before you get any ideas,
Apr 23, 2026 · via usatoday.com
The autonomous vehicle company Waymo announced a partnership with a navigation app to detect potholes using its operating cars in a pilot program, according to an April 9 news release. Waze, a satellite mapping software, partnered with Waymo to provide up-to-date information about potholes in cities where the autonomous car company operates, including Austin, according to the news release. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, owns both companies. The gathered data will be available to the city and state Departments of Transportation, as well as Waze app users. “We want to build on the safety benefits of our service by partnering with organizations and city officials to help improve the infrastructure we all depend on,” Ariella Fleisher, the policy development and research manager for Waymo, wrote in the news release. “Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver; we’re also committed to becoming a trusted partner to the cities we serve.” Waymo vehicles have been available to Austin residents through the Uber app since early 2025, according to a company news release. Waymo’s service currently spans from North Austin to South Austin, encompassing the Domain and the University campus. “We have long desired increased data sharing from AV companies as they expand operations and gather data throughout the transportation network, and this pilot is a positive step to more collaboration between AV companies and local government,” Brad Cesak, a senior public information specialist for Austin Transportation and Public Works, wrote in an email. Austin has 8,000 lane miles of streets, according to the city of Austin’s website. Cesak wrote that the data received from this program could help determine where the city should dedicate its efforts to maintain and improve street quality. “City staff have received the first batch of data, and we are validating the accuracy
Apr 23, 2026 · via thedailytexan.com
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|Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered this year’s State of the City address Wednesday.
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|MGM Grand announced its buffet will close at the end of May, ending a 30-year run at the resort.
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|School district police arrest CCSD employee following February investigation at Schofield Middle School.
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|The Country Music Awards announced Shania Twain will host the event for the first time.
Apr 23, 2026 · via kold.com
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today unveiled the 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards. Despite the end of EV incentives, consumers’ interest in hybrids and electrified vehicles has been steadily increasing, particularly given the soaring price of gas. The 2026 awards include 15 newly expanded categories, recognizing 19 winners chosen for their mix of quality, efficiency and value. “Customers feel stretched every time they fill up at the pump, and there are more electric and hybrid options than ever. The 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards are designed to help consumers make informed choices and save money with vehicles they’ll like,” said Tony Markovich, U.S. News senior editor, Autos. “This year’s awards categories were expanded to better suit a broader set of buyers’ needs, and the winners stand out as leaders in sustainability, sophistication and value.” There are now enough electrified choices that meet award criteria to break our existing categories out by size, with the aim of helping consumers find an efficient vehicle that meets all of their needs. While a small hybrid car might be the most efficient, it won’t fit everyone’s life. There are now subcompact, compact and midsize hybrid SUVs, and multiple size categories of EVs and luxury models. In addition, as families increasingly turn toward environmentally friendly driving options and look to save money on fuel, the 2026 awards introduce the Best Hybrid Minivan class. Hyundai and Kia lead the industry in 2026, earning three awards each. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Hyundai Ioniq 5 each earned their third consecutive titles, leading the breakout Best Compact Hybrid SUV and Best Compact Electric SUV categories, respectively, while the Hyundai Ioniq 9 secured top honors in the Midsize Electric SUV breakout
Apr 23, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Waymo glitch sparks push for stronger autonomous vehicle regulations PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Eight dizzying loops through a Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport parking lot turned tech entrepreneur Mike Johns from a Waymo passenger into an advocate pushing for consumer protections and transparency in autonomous vehicle technology. Johns found himself trapped in a circling Waymo in December 2024 on his way to Sky Harbor Airport. The vehicle left the rental car area and began looping through a parking lot so many times that Johns worried he might miss his flight. “It’s this feeling like you’re at an amusement park,” Johns said. After eight loops, Waymo customer support resolved the problem. But the video of the incident received millions of views. From passenger to advocate Following the incident, Johns formed Consumer AI Protection Advocates to press for what the group considers responsible AI innovation. During Arizona Tech Week, the group previewed research from Dr. Sharon Bethea on the impact of outlier incidents on public trust. “Adoption is driven by perceived safety rather than actual safety, and perception is shaped by what people see,” said Bethea, a Northeastern Illinois University professor. “Not what the engineers have to say or what the engineers measure.” Bethea said that although the technology is advancing and showing it can outperform humans, people don’t emotionally connect to millions of safe miles. According to Waymo, its vehicles have been involved in 92% fewer serious injury crashes than human drivers over its first 170 million miles. The group wants states to adopt stronger data and transparency policies for autonomous vehicles. Dr. Michelle Traveler, another member of the group and an information technology expert, wants Waymo to make adjustments to the screens inside vehicles that share information with passengers. “We need to build that human-machine interface,” Traveler said. “So when people are
Apr 23, 2026 · via azfamily.com
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) has opened registration for companies that commercially operate automated vehicles on Texas roads, marking a major step toward statewide oversight of driverless technology. Under a new law that will take effect May 28, companies that operate automated vehicles for commercial purposes are required to obtain authorization through the Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System. Privately owned vehicles used for personal driving do not need authorization. Under the Texas DMV authorization process, a commercial automated vehicle must be: Capable of operating in compliance with all applicable Texas traffic and motor vehicle laws. Equipped with a required recording device. Equipped with an automated driving system that complies with applicable federal law. Capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if the automated driving system fails. Be registered and titled in Texas. Have the right insurance or self-insurance. Applicants must also provide the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with a plan showing how first responders should interact with the vehicle during emergency services. The authorization does not expire, but it can be revoked, suspended, canceled or restricted if the state determines a vehicle is operating in a way that endangers the public. Beginning May 28, concerns about automated vehicles that could result in serious bodily injury can be submitted to the TxDMV Enforcement Division for review. The policy will affect companies operating in Austin, including Waymo, Zoox and Tesla robotaxis. Road safety advocates say the law is a step in the right direction, but not enough. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said there are currently no federal regulations governing automated vehicles, which can create risks. She pointed to recent incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including reports of cars passing school buses unloading children and blocking emergency vehicles responding to calls.
Apr 23, 2026 · via kvue.com
April 22, 2026 09:18 AM EDT
Featured Stories
Tesla’s upcoming Roadster will be its only manually driven car long term, Elon Musk says
Tesla CEO says automaker's future lineup will be autonomous vehicles of different sizes, with the second-generation Roadster as the sole exception for manual driving.
Apr 23, 2026 · via autonews.com
Senate transportation bill without Waymo highlights dysfunction in House ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota lawmakers are moving forward on a big transportation bill, but the debate over self-driving cars and legislative gridlock is shaping this year’s session. Senate advances transportation bill without House agreement What we know: The Minnesota Senate, led by the DFL majority, passed a transportation bill that includes some Republican-backed ideas. However, the bill does not address autonomous vehicles. Senate Republicans questioned the move, with Sen. Eric Pratt saying, "We should be meeting with the House and having that agreement on what's going to move and it feels like the Senate is going rogue on this one," said Pratt. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the Senate will continue its work, explaining, "We're going to get the work done for the people of Minnesota. And I hope the other body gets their act together," said Murphy. The Senate’s bill moves forward as lawmakers begin negotiations with the House and Gov. Tim Walz. In the meantime, the Senate plans to keep passing bills. In the bill: It does include a clearer definition of e-bikes. Bicycles with electric motors providing less than 1,500 watts of power are fine for riding on the street without a license. Above that are e-motos and this proposed new law would make sure they get regulated and insured like gasoline-powered motorcycles. The bill also calls for e-bike riders under the age of 18 to wear helmets. And it funds an educational campaign about the laws for e-bikes. The Senate transportation bill also requires driver’s education classes for anyone under the age of 21 who is trying to get a new driver’s license. They’d have to finish classroom studies and behind-the-wheel training. Right now, the same requirements apply to anyone under the age
Apr 23, 2026 · via fox9.com
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Apr 23, 2026 · via youtube.com
April 22, 2026 08:00 PM EDT
Featured Stories
Tesla’s upcoming Roadster will be its only manually driven car long term, Elon Musk says
Tesla CEO says automaker's future lineup will be autonomous vehicles of different sizes, with the second-generation Roadster as the sole exception for manual driving.
Apr 23, 2026 · via autonews.com
April 22, 2026 04:28 PM EDT
Featured Stories
Jennifer Gilbert to auction personal art collection to raise millions for new Detroit arts foundation
The works could bring more than $13 million to the fledgling Lumana Art Foundation.
The works could bring more than $13 million to the fledgling Lumana Art Foundation.
Apr 22, 2026 · via crainsdetroit.com
Tesla reported its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, disclosing some better-than-expected results but faltering in some key areas. The report failed to significantly buoy Tesla’s stock, which has limped along this year while its CEO, Elon Musk, has tried to sell the company’s new vision of humanoid robots and self-driving robotaxis. Its core car business has struggled in the face of competition from Chinese counterparts and backlash against his close involvement with the Trump administration. “There remains significant effort and hard work to realize our mission of Amazing Abundance,” Tesla said in its report, while claiming that demand for its vehicles was rebounding. Tesla revealed earnings of 41 cents a share on Wednesday after market close, more than the 37 cents per share that Wall Street expected. The company reported a positive free cash flow, but missed market expectations of its revenue with $22.39bn – weaker than the $22.6bn Wall Street estimated. Tesla’s stock rose over 3% immediately following the release of its report, but dropped and erased those gains after Musk announced plans for large capital expenditure this year. In an unusually subdued tone, Musk gave an outline of Tesla’s projects on the company’s earnings call, though he once again proclaiming that its robotics and self-driving products would take over the world. During a question-and-answer period, several investors asked questions about the timing of those goals as Musk tried to reassure them about future growth. “Tesla is working on a lot of large ambitious projects,” Musk answered, concluding some brief remarks. The earnings report comes as Tesla continues to pivot away from its automaker roots and emphasize its bets on AI, autonomous vehicle technology and robotics. Despite Musk’s usual grandiose promises and vows to dominate society’s future, Tesla’s stock has lagged behind mega-cap rivals recently and fallen around 11% so
Apr 22, 2026 · via theguardian.com