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San Mateo publishes draft Automated Vehicles Strategic Plan

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority has published their 126 page draft Automated Vehicles Strategic Plan. While it is good to see that a transportation authority is trying to understand the ramifications of the technology and develop an actual plan, it is unfortunate that they are still misguided with respect to robotaxis improving safety. The key problem is that the drivers who cause safety problems by speeding are not and will not be switching over to using robotaxis. Even if robotaxis are eventually safer than human drivers, they won't make a difference if the problem human drivers won't use them.

Read MoreSan Mateo publishes draft Automated Vehicles Strategic Plan

SF Examiner – SF nonprofit grateful for Waymo partnership — but there’s a catch

SF Examiner reports on how Waymo is using a charity as a cynical marketing ploy. They are using Waymo vehicles to deliver food for a charity. Of course to deliver food you need a human driver. If Waymo really wants to make a charitable contribution, they should simply donate money directly to the organization.

Read MoreSF Examiner – SF nonprofit grateful for Waymo partnership — but there’s a catch

Fast Company – California almost passed a landmark law to prevent reckless speeding—then Newsom vetoed it

David Zipper reports in Fast Company on how the automobile industry managed to prevent this dire needed technology from being required. Identical speed assist systems are already required in Europe on new cars, even ones manufactured in the US. The automobile companies already have to provide this!

Read MoreFast Company – California almost passed a landmark law to prevent reckless speeding—then Newsom vetoed it

SF Chronicle – Newsom sides with autonomous vehicle companies, vetoes safety regulations

SF Chronicle reports that Newsom puts the interest of big corporate donors above safety. He vetoed bills that would have required human operators on large trucks. He also vetoed simple yet effective reporting requirements so that the public would actually be able to know how safe autonomous are (what are they hiding??). And to make things even worse, he signed a bill that exempts robotaxi companies from receiving tickets when their vehicles do something dangerous.

Read MoreSF Chronicle – Newsom sides with autonomous vehicle companies, vetoes safety regulations

SF Chronicle – Cruise restarts tests for driverless cars in Bay Area nearly a year after San Francisco accident

SF Chronicle reports that Cruise is gearing up for a return to the Bay Area. Note that they are not actually returning, but just "gearing up" to do so. If Cruise considers this feeble attempt newsworthy then they are indeed in deep trouble.

Read MoreSF Chronicle – Cruise restarts tests for driverless cars in Bay Area nearly a year after San Francisco accident

404 Media – Delivery Robot Knocked Over Pedestrian, Company Offered ‘Promo Codes’ to Apologize

404 Media reports on how one of their delivery robots caused a pedestrian to be knocked down and injured. The company offered Promo Codes to make it all better. Meanwhile, they are pursuing felony charger against a couple of drunk students who temporarily snatched one of their robots.

Read More404 Media – Delivery Robot Knocked Over Pedestrian, Company Offered ‘Promo Codes’ to Apologize

SF Standard – Early reviews are in: SF’s next robotaxi looks like a hot dog toaster

SF Standard reports on Zoox publicity event for their hot dog toaster shaped vehicle. It should be noted that Zoox does not even have a permit to provide passenger service and they are woefully behind Waymo and even Cruise. Should also be noted that this hot dog shaped design is standard for robotaxis.

Read MoreSF Standard – Early reviews are in: SF’s next robotaxi looks like a hot dog toaster