Articles tagged with "robotaxi"
Waymo has set its robotaxi sights on NYC
Waymo has applied for a permit with the New York City Department of Transportation to test its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Manhattan, marking its initial step toward introducing robotaxis in the city. The permit application aligns with New York’s stringent autonomous vehicle regulations, which require a human safety operator behind the wheel, a $5 million insurance policy, and thorough operator training. While obtaining this permit is significant, Waymo is still far from launching commercial or fully driverless operations in NYC due to current legal restrictions that mandate a human must be physically present and able to control the vehicle. To advance its goals, Waymo is actively advocating for changes in state law that would permit driverless vehicle operation without a human behind the wheel. The company is also building partnerships with local organizations such as MADD NY, YAI, the National Federation of the Blind, and Bronx Community College to foster goodwill and support. Despite previous attempts by other companies to test autonomous vehicles in NYC, none progressed beyond limited demonstrations. Way
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymorobotaxiself-driving-carsurban-mobilitytransportation-technologyAmazon’s Zoox opens its first major robotaxi production facility
Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has inaugurated its first major production facility in Hayward, California, marking a significant milestone in its transition from development to commercial deployment. The 220,000-square-foot factory, located near Zoox’s Foster City headquarters, is designed for engineering, software and hardware integration, assembly, storage, and testing of its custom-built robotaxis. Zoox aims for the facility to eventually produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually, supporting its expansion into multiple commercial markets. Currently, Zoox is testing vehicles in several U.S. cities and offering rides to employees in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with plans to launch an early-rider program for the public in 2026. The Hayward facility will initially support commercial operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with future rollouts planned for Austin and Miami. The factory employs a hybrid workforce of humans and robots, where human workers perform most tasks while robots handle specific functions such as adhesive application and vehicle transport along the
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaximanufacturingautomationAI-integrationtransportation-technologyWaymo Grows Again - CleanTechnica
Waymo is significantly expanding its robotaxi services across California, extending coverage in the Bay Area to cities like South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Brisbane, and Menlo Park, with further expansion planned in the Los Angeles metro area including Silverlake, Inglewood, and Downtown LA. This expansion marks a substantial growth in Waymo’s service footprint, suggesting the company is poised to increase ride volumes considerably. Additionally, Waymo is preparing to launch its robotaxi service in Atlanta this summer in partnership with Uber, further broadening its national presence. Beyond California, Waymo is actively testing and demonstrating its autonomous driving technology across the U.S., with recent stops in cities such as San Antonio, Houston, and Orlando as part of its 2025 road trip initiative. The company’s rapid growth contrasts with earlier slower progress and raises questions about the potential for exponential scaling of robotaxi services. The article also briefly touches on Tesla’s delayed robotaxi launch in Austin,
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymorobotaxitransportation-technologyself-driving-carsmobility-innovationTesla Phantom Braking & Pedestrian Safety Concerns Continue - CleanTechnica
Tesla plans to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, imminently, using a small fleet of Model Ys equipped with its Full Self Driving (FSD) Unsupervised software. However, details about how this software differs from the current FSD version available to owners remain unclear. Tesla’s secretive approach to the robotaxi program has raised skepticism, with critics suspecting the company is trying to avoid public scrutiny of potential failures. Despite Tesla’s claims that its systems are safer than human drivers, incidents involving the technology have sparked safety concerns. Anti-Tesla groups like the Dawn Project and Tesla Takedown recently conducted an experiment highlighting significant safety issues. Using a Model Y with the latest supervised FSD, they demonstrated that the vehicle failed to stop for a stopped school bus with flashing lights and only braked too late to avoid hitting a child-sized cardboard cutout darting into the street. This test was repeated multiple times with consistent failure, raising questions about whether Tesla’s cars are safe
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslaself-driving-carsrobotaxipedestrian-safetyautomotive-technologyWaymo limits service ahead of today’s ‘No Kings’ protests
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned robotaxi company, is limiting its service on June 14, 2025, ahead of the nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and his policies. Service reductions are reported in San Francisco, Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, with a complete suspension in Los Angeles. The duration of these service limitations remains unclear. This precaution follows recent protests in Los Angeles where Waymo vehicles were vandalized with anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) graffiti, likely due to perceptions of the vehicles as surveillance tools, similar to how police departments have used them. Waymo has stated that it challenges any requests for data or cooperation that it views as overly broad or lacking legal justification. The company’s cautious approach reflects concerns about civil unrest and the potential targeting of its autonomous vehicles during politically charged demonstrations. The San Francisco Chronicle noted that during periods of civil unrest, authorities may avoid aggressive intervention unless property is directly threatened, highlighting the tense environment surrounding these protests.
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymorobotaxitransportation-technologyself-driving-carsAI-roboticsTesla Full Self Driving Supervised V12.6.4 — Going on 6 Years with My Model 3 - CleanTechnica
The article chronicles the author's extensive experience—over 3.5 years and through about 20 versions—with Tesla's Full Self Driving (FSD) system on a 2019 Model 3. The author frequently uses FSD on busy multi-lane highways, long cross-country trips, and rural roads, praising its smooth, accurate driving that often matches or exceeds a highly attentive human driver. Recent software improvements have enhanced FSD’s ability to navigate complex scenarios, such as safely passing slow trucks, giving space to cyclists, and handling unexpected obstacles like deer or puddles. Tesla plans to launch fully driverless robotaxi services in geofenced areas soon, but the author doubts that truly unsupervised driving will be achievable on their older Model 3 anytime soon. Despite significant progress, the author highlights persistent limitations and failures in FSD’s supervised mode. For example, the system correctly recognizes and responds to stop signs, traffic lights, and speed limits but fails to slow down for school zone speed
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Full-Self-Drivingdriverless-technologyAI-driving-systemsrobotaxiautomotive-roboticsMusk targets June 22 launch of Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi service
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company aims to launch its long-promised robotaxi service offering public rides in fully driverless Tesla vehicles in Austin, Texas, starting June 22, 2025. However, Musk noted the date could change due to Tesla’s cautious approach to safety. The initial fleet will be small, around 10 vehicles, and geofenced to the safest parts of Austin. Recent sightings of Tesla Model Y SUVs operating without drivers in the seat indicate ongoing testing of the new "unsupervised" Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which Musk claims enables Teslas to drive without human supervision. This launch marks a significant shift from Musk’s earlier promises of a general-purpose, fully autonomous driving system available nationwide. Instead, Tesla is adopting a more localized, cautious rollout strategy similar to Waymo’s approach. Despite Musk’s claim that every new Tesla is now capable of unsupervised driving, this contrasts with his 2016 statement that all Teslas had the
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-technologyFull-Self-Drivingdriverless-carsElon Musk says Tesla robotaxis could launch in Austin on June 22
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a tentative launch date of June 22, 2025, for Tesla’s robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, though the date may shift due to ongoing safety evaluations. The initial fleet will consist of 10 to 20 modified Model Y SUVs operating within geofenced zones under remote human supervision, powered by Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Musk emphasized a cautious approach to safety, highlighting that the rollout depends on passing final safety checks. Tesla has been testing these vehicles on Austin streets and plans to enable cars to drive autonomously from the factory directly to buyers starting June 28. If successful, Tesla aims to expand the robotaxi service to other cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, and San Francisco by the end of the year. This robotaxi initiative represents a significant strategic pivot for Tesla, focusing on full self-driving technology rather than more affordable electric vehicles, potentially redefining the company’s business model. However, Tesla faces multiple challenges, including slowing electric vehicle sales amid rising competition, ongoing Model Y redesigns, and political controversies surrounding Musk that could impact regulatory approvals. Industry skepticism remains high given Musk’s history of repeatedly delaying fully autonomous vehicle promises. Nonetheless, the Austin launch marks a critical test for Tesla’s ambitions in the autonomous vehicle market.
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-carsAItransportation-technologyWayve and Uber plan London robotaxi launch after UK speeds up autonomous vehicle rollout
Wayve, a U.K.-based autonomous vehicle technology company, and Uber plan to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in London within the next few years. This initiative follows the U.K. government's recent decision to accelerate the timeline for self-driving commercial pilot programs from late 2027 to spring 2026, aiming to boost investment in autonomous vehicle technology. While specific details about the launch, such as trial dates, fleet size, or vehicle manufacturer partners, have not been disclosed, Wayve confirmed that the service will begin in London and eventually expand to greater London and beyond. The deployment involves a collaborative ecosystem where Wayve provides the AI driving intelligence integrated into base vehicles supplied by manufacturers, a fleet operator manages the vehicles, and Uber operates the passenger service. Each participant must independently demonstrate safety and responsible operation to regulators. Wayve’s CEO, Alex Kendall, emphasized that this effort represents a significant step toward scalable autonomy in the U.K., leveraging their AI Driver technology and Embodied AI that can adapt to various vehicles and environments. Uber’s extensive global mobility network is seen as a key asset for scaling the autonomous service beyond the U.K. The partnership underscores a broader ambition to bring safe, intelligent, and driverless rides to everyday consumers worldwide.
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiAI-driving-technologyWayveUberself-driving-carsWaymo robotaxis, Lime e-scooters set ablaze during LA protests
During protests in downtown Los Angeles sparked by aggressive immigration raids conducted by ICE under the Trump administration, several Waymo autonomous vehicles and Lime e-scooters were vandalized and set on fire. On Sunday evening, protesters attacked five Waymo robotaxis by slashing tires, breaking windows, spray-painting anti-ICE slogans, and igniting the cars. Some Lime e-scooters were also thrown into the burning vehicles. The LAPD warned that burning lithium-ion batteries from these devices release toxic gases, posing health risks to bystanders. The exact motive behind targeting Waymo vehicles remains unclear, though previous police investigations have utilized footage from Waymo’s cars. Waymo stated it is cooperating with the LAPD and intends to pursue criminal charges and seek damages for the vandalism. There are unconfirmed reports that Waymo may have removed its vehicles from Los Angeles following the attacks. The protests began on June 6 in response to ICE raids that resulted in over 100 immigrant arrests, escalating into both peaceful and violent demonstrations across multiple cities, including freeway blockades. In response, President Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed troops to LA, a move opposed by state officials including Governor Gavin Newsom, who called it a breach of state sovereignty. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated readiness to deploy Marines if violence persists. Videos have surfaced showing LAPD using force against protesters and journalists during the unrest.
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxielectric-scooterslithium-ion-batteriesvandalismurban-protestsTesla Moves To Block City Of Austin From Releasing Robotaxi Information - CleanTechnica
Tesla plans to launch a robotaxi service using its Full Self Driving (FSD) technology on public roads in Austin, Texas, starting June 10. However, the company is aggressively seeking to keep details about this trial confidential. Tesla has requested a federal judge to block the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from releasing crash data related to its Autopilot and FSD systems. Additionally, Tesla is pressuring the city of Austin and the Texas Attorney General’s office to withhold information about the robotaxi trial, citing concerns over revealing proprietary and competitively sensitive details such as deployment procedures and operational strategies. Despite public interest, specifics like the exact streets where the geofenced robotaxis will operate remain undisclosed. Tesla’s efforts to maintain secrecy extend beyond Austin, reflecting a broader pattern of limiting transparency about its autonomous driving technology. This includes influencing federal transportation authorities to reduce reporting requirements for robotaxi-related incidents, thereby minimizing public access to safety data. Critics argue that Tesla’s approach prioritizes corporate interests and secrecy over public safety and informed consent, especially given past incidents where Tesla vehicles operating in FSD mode have been involved in crashes, including fatal ones. The ongoing dispute highlights tensions between innovation, regulatory oversight, and the public’s right to information about emerging autonomous vehicle technologies.
robotautonomous-vehiclesTeslarobotaxiself-driving-technologytransportation-technologyAI-roboticsTesla Robotaxi Service Begins Next Week In Austin. Is Full Self Driving Finally Ready? - CleanTechnica
robotself-drivingTeslarobotaxifull-self-drivingautonomous-vehiclestransportationPony.ai partners with Xihu to deploy 1k robotaxis in Shenzhen - The Robot Report
robotrobotaxiautonomous-drivingmobilityAItransportationfleet-managementZoox issues second robotaxi software recall in a month following collision
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclessoftware-recallself-driving-technologyZooxcollision-safetyMusk says Tesla’s self-driving tests will be geofenced to ‘the safest’ parts of Austin
robotself-drivingTeslarobotaxigeofencingautonomous-vehiclestransportationAmazon’s Zoox to start testing AVs in Atlanta, following Waymo
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-technologyrobotaxiZooxWaymotransportation-technologyWaymo gets OK to expand robotaxi service into more of Silicon Valley
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymotransportationSilicon-Valleyride-hailingWaymo and Uber are giving some riders early access to Atlanta robotaxi service
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymoUbertransportationmobilityThe Huge Waymo Recall That Wasn’t
robotWaymoautomated-drivingsoftware-updaterobotaxiself-driving-vehiclestransportationWaymo updates 1,200+ robotaxis in software recall
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymoself-driving-technologyvehicle-safetytransportation-technologyTesla’s robotaxi plans have the attention of federal investigators
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesTeslaFull-Self-DrivingtransportationNHTSAWaymo robotaxis to map Boston
robotWaymorobotaxiautonomous-drivingurban-mobilitytransportationtechnologyUber & WeRide Expanding Robotaxi Partnership to 15 More Cities
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWeRideUbertransportation-technologysmart-citiesUber investing $100M into WeRide to bring robotaxis to 15 cities
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWeRideUbermobilitytransportationWaymo Scaling Up With US Manufacturing, Uber
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymomanufacturingrobotaxiAI-technologytransportationUber invests $100M in WeRide to fuel robotaxi expansion across 15 more cities
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWeRideUbertransportationinvestmentAmazon-owned Zoox issues recall following robotaxi crash
robotautonomous-vehiclesrobotaxiZooxself-driving-technologyvehicle-safetytransportation-technologyUber turns to Chinese companies to snap up robotaxi market share in Europe, Middle East
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesUberpartnershipsMiddle-EasttransportationWaymo ramps up robotaxi production at new Arizona factory
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclesWaymoelectric-vehiclesmanufacturingself-driving-technologyUber and WeRide set their robotaxi sights on 15 more cities
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclestransportation-technologyUberWeRidefleet-operationsThe One Big Robotaxi Benefit — Safe Driving
robotrobotaxiautonomous-vehiclessafetytransportationWaymodriver-assistanceYour guide to Day 2 of the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo
robotroboticsrobotaxiartificial-intelligenceautomationtechnologyexpo