#autonomous vehicles

All articles tagged with "autonomous vehicles"

Tesla Cybercab bars kids under 13 as scrutiny grows (via www.foxnews.com)

Transportation

Tesla's Cybercab Launch Collides With NHTSA Compliance Investigation

Key Takeaways

Tesla launched its long-awaited Cybercab, but the debut was overshadowed by a federal inquiry.
NHTSA opened an investigation into the vehicle's lack of compliance with federal standards.
Automotive News frames the Cybercab as having a long way to go before it can beat Waymo.
Compliance questions affect whether and when the Cybercab can be sold and deployed at scale.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 20, 2026·via autonews.com

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Minneapolis Proposes Requiring A Human Behind The Wheel In Waymos - Jalopnik

Transportation

Minneapolis Moves to Require Human Monitors in Waymo Robotaxis

Key Takeaways

Minneapolis has proposed an ordinance, 'Workers Drive Minneapolis,' requiring a human behind the wheel of autonomous rideshare vehicles at all times.
The rule would require a city license, a licensed driver within immediate reach of the controls, and payment of at least the applicable minimum wage.
Waymo already tests in Minneapolis without passengers and with a human in the driver's seat, so the rule would not change current operations but would affect future passenger service.
Waymo told Axios the measure amounts to 'a de facto ban on autonomous vehicles,' arguing the labor cost undermines the driverless business model.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 14, 2026·via jalopnik.com

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If a Tesla Cybercab fleet were profitable, Tesla wouldn't sell you one

Transportation

If a Tesla Cybercab Fleet Were Profitable, Why Is Tesla Selling Them?

Key Takeaways

Tesla is asking businesses to buy and operate Cybercab fleets on its network.
If robotaxi fleets were hugely profitable, Tesla would keep ownership to capture full margins.
The move transfers capital and operational risk to third parties.
Selling to fleets undercuts the original Uber/Airbnb-like high-profit vision.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 7, 2026·via electrek.co

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A Tesla Cybercab prototype at a Tesla store in San Jose, California, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the robotaxi, which has no steering wheel or pedals, could cost less than $30,000 and "probably" will go into production in 2026. Photographer:

Transportation

Tesla Cybercab Under Federal Safety Investigation After Robotaxi Rollout

Key Takeaways

NHTSA has opened an Audit Query into Tesla's self-certification that the Cybercab meets federal safety standards.
The driverless two-seater, which lacks a steering wheel and brake pedals, began public rides in Austin ahead of wider robotaxi deployment in Texas and Florida.
The inquiry follows NHTSA's precedent of granting Zoox an exemption for its no-manual-control robotaxi, limited to 2,500 vehicles this year.
Former NHTSA officials say the investigation reflects regulator frustration with Tesla's decision to skip the exemption process.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 5, 2026·via arstechnica.com

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All press is good press, right? Cybercab event leaves more questions than answers

Transportation

Tesla Cybercab Event Raises More Questions Than Answers

Key Takeaways

Tesla's Cybercab event made headlines but lacked concrete details.
Quick Charge hosts discuss the negative side of press coverage for uncertain products.
Production timeline, regulatory approvals, and technology readiness remain unknown.
The article emphasizes the need for transparency in autonomous vehicle development.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 5, 2026·via electrek.co

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Tesla Officially Launches Cybercab And Is Immediately Hit With NHTSA Safety Probe - Jalopnik

Transportation

Tesla launches Cybercab in Austin as NHTSA opens safety probe

Key Takeaways

Tesla has launched the Cybercab in Austin, Texas.
NHTSA is investigating whether Tesla’s self-certification is valid.
The vehicle lacks conventional manual controls such as pedals and a steering wheel.

DT Editorial Team·Sep 4, 2026·via jalopnik.com

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Who Was Right About Tesla Robotaxi Deployment in 2025? - CleanTechnica

Transportation

Tesla Robotaxi Expansion: Nevada Approves 5,000 Vehicles, Musk's 2025 Promise Unmet

Key Takeaways

Nevada approved up to 5,000 Tesla robotaxis, up from 10.
Tesla says no immediate plans to deploy 5,000 vehicles.
Commercial rides could start within 30 days pending inspections and fares.
Tesla prefers Cybercab production over Model Y robotaxi rollout.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 22, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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Waymo CEO: Vision-Only Self-Driving Safety Curve Flattens “Way Too Early” - CleanTechnica

Energy

Waymo Draws a Hard Line Against Vision-Only Autonomy

Key Takeaways

Waymo argues camera-only systems are insufficient for full autonomy.
Dmitri Dolgov says weak sensing causes the safety curve to flatten too early.
The company says cameras, lidar, and radar provide complementary strengths.
The dispute reflects different assumptions about driver assistance versus true driverless operation.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 11, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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Zoox To Start Charging Passengers Next Week - CleanTechnica

Transportation

Zoox to Launch Paid Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas Next Week

Key Takeaways

Zoox received NHTSA approval to deploy up to 5,000 robotaxis and charge passengers.
Paid service begins next week in Las Vegas.
Zoox has driven over 3 million miles and carried 1 million passengers in testing.
Zoox's market share grew from 15% to 25% in 2026, while Waymo's dropped from 79% to 69%.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 7, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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Waymo Jacks Up Lobbying In Washington, DC - CleanTechnica

Transportation

Waymo Expands Lobbying and Local Investment in Washington, DC

Key Takeaways

Waymo leases a third DC location, its largest locally, to support EV charging and maintenance.
The new facility is meant to show commitment and create jobs, countering concerns about job losses.
Waymo's lobbying efforts aim to influence DC council's proposed 200-robotaxi cap.
Competitors like Zoox and Tesla are advancing, prompting Waymo to respond strategically.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 7, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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hero image of the production generation zoox autonomous robotaxi.

AI & Robotics

Zoox Finalizes Robotaxi Design for U.S. Expansion

Key Takeaways

Zoox says its newest robotaxi generation will be the production version of the vehicle.
The company plans to scale manufacturing to 100 vehicles per week.
Zoox is expanding beyond Las Vegas and San Francisco to Austin, Miami, Dallas, and Phoenix.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 5, 2026·via therobotreport.com

Waymo Opens Dallas Robotaxi Service to the Public

Key Takeaways

Waymo said anyone in Dallas can now hail a fully autonomous ride through its app.
The company said it had already served nearly 150,000 riders from its interest list since February.
Testing continues at Dallas Love Field Airport terminals.
Waymo plans fully autonomous freeway testing before offering those routes to public riders.

DT Editorial Team·Aug 5, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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Zoox Gets 1st Approval From USA For Paid Robotaxis — With No Human Controls - CleanTechnica

Energy

Zoox clears a federal hurdle for paid robotaxi service without human controls

Key Takeaways

Zoox says NHTSA granted a federal exemption covering paid rides in vehicles without steering wheels or pedals.
The approval is capped, with Reuters reporting up to 2,500 vehicles in each of the next two years.
Zoox still needs state and local approvals and must meet added reporting requirements.

DT Editorial Team·Jul 31, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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Culture

Waymo resumes freeway rides in Phoenix after safety recall

Key Takeaways

Waymo has resumed freeway routes in Phoenix after restricting them in May.
The voluntary recall involved how the AV handled freeway construction zones.
Software updates are the basis for restoring service, with more cities expected next.

DT Editorial Team·Jul 30, 2026·via gizmodo.com

Waymo safety claim rests on limited crash comparisons

Key Takeaways

IIHS argued Waymo robotaxis crash less often than human drivers.
The comparison relied on cleaned autonomous crash data from 2021 to 2024 and a subset of likely police-reportable incidents.
Waymo was the only company in the analyzed group with publicly available mileage data, limiting broader industry comparisons.

DT Editorial Team·Jul 27, 2026·via jalopnik.com

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Waymo Hits Summer Break With Coast-to-Coast Expansion - CleanTechnica

Transportation

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New US Cities This Summer

Key Takeaways

Waymo launches robotaxi service in San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver.
Initial service is for employees, with public access coming soon.
Waymo begins autonomous driving of Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles with a specialist present.
Expansion brings total operating cities to over ten, covering coast-to-coast.

DT Editorial Team·Jul 9, 2026·via cleantechnica.com

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268625_A_New_Jersey_bill_would_keep_Tesla_Robotaxis_out_of_the_state_—_and_decide_how_AVs_are_built_CVirginia

Transportation

New Jersey Robotaxi Bill Mandates Lidar, Effectively Banning Tesla's Camera-Only System

Key Takeaways

New Jersey bill would require autonomous vehicles to use cameras plus two other sensors like lidar and radar.
Tesla's camera-only Robotaxi would be effectively banned from operating in the state.
Bill sponsor says it's about safety, not targeting Tesla.
If passed, New Jersey would be first state with such a hardware mandate.

DT Editorial Team·Jul 8, 2026·via theverge.com

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Tesla settles lawsuit over fatal pedestrian crash involving Full Self-Driving - Engadget

News

Tesla settles lawsuit over fatal pedestrian crash tied to Full Self-Driving

Key Takeaways

Tesla settled a lawsuit over a 2023 Arizona crash that killed pedestrian Johna Story.
The case was described as the first reported pedestrian fatality tied to Tesla automated driving technology.
The crash also prompted an NHTSA investigation into Full Self-Driving performance in poor visibility.
Tesla has rebranded the feature as Full Self-Driving (Supervised) but continues to face legal scrutiny.

DT Editorial Team·Jun 27, 2026·via engadget.com

Tesla’s ‘Robotaxi’ Record Reflects Limited Use

Key Takeaways

Electrek says Tesla reported no at-fault robotaxi crashes in the latest AV data.
The only fresh incident described was a stopped Model Y being rear-ended.
The source argues the clean record reflects very limited robotaxi operation.
The story frames exposure and deployment scale as critical context for safety claims.

DT Editorial Team·Jun 16, 2026·via electrek.co

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A Gatik autonomous truck at a PepsiCo distribution center.

AI & Robotics

Gatik Deepens Autonomous Freight Role in PepsiCo Network

Key Takeaways

PepsiCo signed a multi-year autonomous freight partnership with Gatik.
Gatik already operates for PepsiCo in Texas, Arizona and Arkansas.
The companies are targeting regional middle-mile logistics routes.
Gatik says it is achieving more than 98% on-time delivery across operations.

DT Editorial Team·Jun 13, 2026·via therobotreport.com