Uber and Lyft have agreed to pay drivers in New York a combined $328 million to settle wage-theft complaints. The settlement is the result of state attorney general Letitia James’ investigation into whether the companies collected certain fees and taxes from drivers rather than passengers. The investigation also looked into whether companies failed to provide… Continue reading Uber and Lyft pay $328M to settle wage-theft complaints in New York
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
‘Stop the AV disaster’: Teamsters and rideshare drivers join forces
Two of the biggest groups to oppose robotaxi expansion in California are now formally working together. Teamsters 856, which is tied to one of the longest-standing labor unions in the U.S., and Rideshare Drivers United (RDU), a group that advocates for app-based workers, said on Friday that they’ll work together to push for “responsible guardrails… Continue reading ‘Stop the AV disaster’: Teamsters and rideshare drivers join forces
Waymo driverless vehicles are now available through Uber, starting first in Phoenix
Phoenix-area Uber users can now hail a Waymo driverless vehicle. The two companies today announced the launch of the joint service, which we first reported in May 2023. To use the service, Uber users will need to hail a UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric, and, if available, confirm the Waymo vehicle… Continue reading Waymo driverless vehicles are now available through Uber, starting first in Phoenix
Xpeng starts removing HD maps from Tesla FSD-like feature in China
Xpeng is often called the Chinese challenger to Tesla for its efforts to bring advanced driving capabilities to its electric vehicles. It’s now getting a step closer to its American counterpart as it gets rid of high-definition mapping in its XNGP assisted driving feature, its equivalent to Tesla FSD. Tesla FSD famously does not rely… Continue reading Xpeng starts removing HD maps from Tesla FSD-like feature in China
Robotaxis ‘do not belong in the city of Los Angeles,’ lawmaker says
Robotaxi oversight is now a priority at Los Angeles City Hall. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez told Waymo and Cruise that their robotaxis are not welcome. “The purpose of this press event is to send a very clear message about robot taxis, and say that they do not belong in the… Continue reading Robotaxis ‘do not belong in the city of Los Angeles,’ lawmaker says
California agency pulls Cruise’s commercial robotaxi permit following DMV action
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has suspended Cruise’s authority to carry and charge passengers for its robotaxi service, following similar action from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The CPUC is also “independently carrying out investigatory activities into recent incidents involving passenger service,” Terrie Prosper, director of news and outreach at the CPUC, told… Continue reading California agency pulls Cruise’s commercial robotaxi permit following DMV action
Robotaxi pushback grows in Los Angeles as Cruise loses permits
Less than a month after Waymo’s Los Angeles County expansion, labor organizers and an LA lawmaker are calling for new autonomous-vehicle regulations. On Tuesday, the office of LA Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez said he will introduce a motion “urging officials in the state to address public safety concerns around autonomous vehicles and reign in the expansion… Continue reading Robotaxi pushback grows in Los Angeles as Cruise loses permits
Waymo’s new simulator helps researchers train more realistic agents
Autonomous vehicle companies use simulators to train their self-driving systems and teach them how to react to “agents” — things like pedestrians, cyclists, traffic signals and other cars. To have a truly advanced AV system, those agents need to behave and react realistically to the AV and to each other. Creating and training intelligent agents… Continue reading Waymo’s new simulator helps researchers train more realistic agents
Uber sexual assault survivors score a win, down goes another SPAC and why EV battery plants remain a UAW sticking point
The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free. Welcome back to The Station, your central hub for all past, present and future means of moving people and packages from Point A to Point B.… Continue reading Uber sexual assault survivors score a win, down goes another SPAC and why EV battery plants remain a UAW sticking point
Uber sexual assault survivors call for in-car cameras, tech upgrades
Hundreds of women have filed lawsuits against Uber claiming the company hasn’t done enough to prevent instances of sexual assault by drivers. Now a panel of judges has ruled that more than 80 cases can be consolidated into federal court. The stakes are high for both parties with implications extending to future Uber riders and… Continue reading Uber sexual assault survivors call for in-car cameras, tech upgrades