Waymo grew its lead in the self-driving industry with a triumphant 2020. Experts reveal the key step the Google spin-off needs to take in 2021 to keep rivals like Cruise and Aurora at bay.

Waymo is seen by many experts as the autonomous-vehicle industry’s leader. The company racked up a number of accomplishments in 2020, including making driverless rides available to all users of its Waymo One ride-hailing service, forming partnerships with Daimler and UPS, and raising $3.2 billion. To build on its lead in 2021, Waymo needs to… Continue reading Waymo grew its lead in the self-driving industry with a triumphant 2020. Experts reveal the key step the Google spin-off needs to take in 2021 to keep rivals like Cruise and Aurora at bay.

Waymo is dropping the term ‘self-driving’ in an apparent shot at Tesla’s controversially named software

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous-driving company, said it will drop the term “self-driving” from its marketing and educational materials Wednesday.  The firm appears to be distancing its technology from Tesla’s “full self-driving” feature, a $10,000 option that does not provide full autonomy and has been criticized for being misleading. “Unfortunately, we see that some automakers use the… Continue reading Waymo is dropping the term ‘self-driving’ in an apparent shot at Tesla’s controversially named software

Waymo says it’s ditching the term ‘self-driving’ in dig at Tesla

Waymo is saying so long to “self-driving.” The Google sister company says it is through using the term “self-driving cars” to describe its fleet of autonomous vehicles. And it is subtly pointing fingers at Elon Musk’s Tesla as the reason why. Waymo says it is committing to “using more deliberate language” in its marketing, educational,… Continue reading Waymo says it’s ditching the term ‘self-driving’ in dig at Tesla

The inside story of how bitter rivalries and petty fights derailed Google’s self-driving supremacy and cost Uber its shot at the crown

Anthony Levandowski and Chris Urmson helped create the self-driving industry as it exists today. The two were polar opposites and fought over issues big and small, complaining about each other to Google founder Larry Page frequently. Urmson won the power struggle and Levandowski ultimately decamped for Uber. Years of infighting and indecision hampered Google’s effort… Continue reading The inside story of how bitter rivalries and petty fights derailed Google’s self-driving supremacy and cost Uber its shot at the crown

Lyft, Motional to launch multi-city U.S. robotaxi service in 2023

By Paul Lienert 2 Min Read DETROIT (Reuters) – Lyft Inc and Motional will launch a multi-city U.S. robotaxi service in 2023, the partners said on Wednesday. FILE PHOTO: The Lyft Driver Hub is seen in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson The driverless vehicles will be provided by Motional, a joint… Continue reading Lyft, Motional to launch multi-city U.S. robotaxi service in 2023

Amazon-backed Aurora is buying Uber’s self-driving unit despite its terrible reputation. Its CEO explains why he sees value in the troubled program. (UBER)

Aurora Innovation is buying Uber’s autonomous-vehicle unit, Uber ATG. Uber ATG’s reputation has suffered from a fatal crash and reports of internal unrest. Aurora CEO Chris Urmson told Business Insider he’s been impressed with the determination and resilience ATG’s employees have displayed. He spoke highly of ATG’s safety infrastructure, software, computing hardware, and cameras. Are… Continue reading Amazon-backed Aurora is buying Uber’s self-driving unit despite its terrible reputation. Its CEO explains why he sees value in the troubled program. (UBER)

Uber sells self-driving unit Uber ATG in deal that will push Aurora’s valuation to $10B

Aurora Innovation, the autonomous vehicle startup backed by Sequoia Capital and Amazon, has reached an agreement with Uber to buy the ride-hailing firm’s self-driving unit in a complex deal that will value the combined company at $10 billion. Aurora is not paying cash for Uber ATG, a company that was valued at $7.25 billion following… Continue reading Uber sells self-driving unit Uber ATG in deal that will push Aurora’s valuation to $10B

AutoX becomes China’s first to remove safety drivers from robotaxis

Residents of Shenzhen will see truly driverless cars on the road starting Thursday. AutoX, a four-year-old startup backed by Alibaba, MediaTek and Shanghai Motors, is deploying a fleet of 25 unmanned vehicles in downtown Shenzhen, marking the first time any autonomous driving car in China tests without safety drivers or remote operators on public roads.… Continue reading AutoX becomes China’s first to remove safety drivers from robotaxis

Alibaba-backed autonomous car firm AutoX starts driverless testing

By Yilei Sun, Brenda Goh 2 Min Read FILE PHOTO: A sign of Alibaba-backed autonomous driving startup AutoX is seen on a modified Chrysler Pacifica minivan in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Yilei Sun BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Chinese autonomous vehicle startup AutoX, backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, said on Thursday it has… Continue reading Alibaba-backed autonomous car firm AutoX starts driverless testing