Waymo suspended its robotaxi service in San Francisco on Saturday evening after a massive blackout appeared to leave many of its vehicles stalled on city streets. Numerous photos and videos posted to social media captured Waymo robotaxis stalled at roads and intersections as human drivers either passed them by or were stuck behind them. Waymo… Continue reading Waymo suspends service in San Francisco as robotaxis stall during blackout
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules
An administrative law judge has ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing that gave customers a false impression of the capabilities of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving driver assistance software. This is a pivotal development in a years-long case initiated by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The judge agreed with the state DMV’s request to… Continue reading Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules
How Luminar’s doomed Volvo deal helped drag the company into bankruptcy
In early 2023, Luminar was riding high. After going public during the pandemic and scoring a key deal with Volvo, the company had added Mercedes-Benz and Polestar as customers of its “lifesaving” lidar sensors. Founder and CEO Austin Russell called it an “inflection point,” as Luminar prepped to have those sensors integrated into the first… Continue reading How Luminar’s doomed Volvo deal helped drag the company into bankruptcy
Lidar-maker Luminar files for bankruptcy
Lidar company Luminar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after months of layoffs, executive departures, and a legal fight with its largest customer, Volvo. The company aims to sell off its lidar business during the bankruptcy proceeding, and has already reached a deal to sell its semiconductor subsidiary. While the company will continue to… Continue reading Lidar-maker Luminar files for bankruptcy
Tesla starts testing robotaxis in Austin with no safety driver
Just about six months after Tesla started testing its fledgling Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the company is now letting those cars drive around the city with no safety monitor onboard. The removal of the human safety monitors brings the company a critical step closer to its goal of launching a real commercial Robotaxi service,… Continue reading Tesla starts testing robotaxis in Austin with no safety driver
TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s survival plan involves more than cars
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. To get this in your inbox, sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility! Senior reporter Sean O’Kane popped over to Palo Alto to check out Rivian’s Autonomy & AI Day, which some insiders told… Continue reading TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s survival plan involves more than cars
Inside Rivian’s big bet on AI-powered self-driving
The robot swerved through the cafeteria of Rivian’s Palo Alto office, shelves adorned with chilled canned coffees — until it didn’t. Five minutes later, a man carefully pushed it out of everyone’s way, the words “I’m stuck” flashing yellow on the poor droid’s screen. It was an inauspicious start to Rivian’s “Autonomy & AI Day,”… Continue reading Inside Rivian’s big bet on AI-powered self-driving
Riding onboard with Rivian’s race to autonomy
The robot swerved through the cafeteria of Rivian’s Palo Alto office, shelves adorned with chilled canned coffees — until it didn’t. Five minutes later, a man carefully pushed it out of everyone’s way, the words “I’m stuck” flashing yellow on the poor droid’s screen. It was an inauspicious start to Rivian’s “Autonomy & AI Day,”… Continue reading Riding onboard with Rivian’s race to autonomy
Netflix growing up, data center jet engines, and the circular AI economy
A baby was born in a Waymo this week, and it wasn’t even the first one. What started as a novelty story quickly became a reminder of how autonomous vehicles are quietly becoming part of everyday life, complete with all the messiness that entails. The real coming-of-age story this week, however, wasn’t happening in San Francisco’s robotaxis. It was playing… Continue reading Netflix growing up, data center jet engines, and the circular AI economy
Zevo wants to add robotaxis to its car-share fleet, starting with newcomer Tensor
Driverless cars are no longer restricted to the realm of sci-fi thanks to companies like Waymo deploying commercial robotaxi services in multiple cities. And a number of automakers, big and small, are trying to bring that same level of autonomy to personally-owned vehicles over the next few years. If that happens, what kinds of things… Continue reading Zevo wants to add robotaxis to its car-share fleet, starting with newcomer Tensor