News Republisher

Scouring the news for interesting articles on robotaxis.

Washington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

San Francisco is suing a state commission for letting autonomous vehicle companies, like Waymo and GM's Cruise, operate without strict regulation, following numerous safety incidents. The city's action reflects growing concerns over self-driving cars, which were initially welcomed. The legal challenge aims to compel more rigorous safety standards and reporting for these vehicles, amidst fears they're compromising public safety and disrupting emergency services. Waymo remains operational, while Cruise lost its permit after a crash.

Read MoreWashington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

MIT Technology Review – What’s next for robotaxis in 2024

Robotaxi companies face multiple challenges in 2023, including rebuilding public trust after accidents and proving their profitability against conventional ride services. In San Francisco, Cruise's accident and workforce cuts highlighted industry risks, while Waymo expands cautiously. Despite high costs and regulatory hurdles, robotaxis operate in select US and Chinese cities. Europe lags, focusing on mass transit. The industry wrestles with safety transparency and pressure to reduce costs, striving to remain viable amidst rapid technological and competitive landscapes.

Read MoreMIT Technology Review – What’s next for robotaxis in 2024

Electrek – Tesla finally releases FSD v12, its last hope for self-driving

Elon Musk claims Tesla's FSD Beta v12 update brings a shift to end-to-end neural networks, replacing vast lines of explicit code. If successful, the AI-driven system may fulfill longstanding self-driving promises. Skeptics anticipate rollout issues, as prior updates have been unpredictable. The v12 is now rolling out to select early beta testers, with Tesla's credibility in FSD on the line.

Read MoreElectrek – Tesla finally releases FSD v12, its last hope for self-driving

Teslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Waymo is poised to enter Los Angeles as it seeks CPUC approval to extend its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, while simultaneously collaborating with local stakeholders. Amidst previous expansions and 24-hour operations in San Francisco, competitor Cruise faces setbacks following an accident and permit revocation, highlighting Waymo's leading position in the race for driverless market dominance as noted by Dan O’Dowd, a critic of Tesla's FSD.

Read MoreTeslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Automotive News – Cruise casts shadow on self-driving tech at CES 2024

See full original article by Pete Bigelow at Automotive News. Cruise-related headwinds dampened the autonomous outlook in some quarters, but trucks may keep on rolling. LAS VEGAS — Self-driving vehicles and advances in automated-driving technology have been a CES staple since Audi drove an A7 autonomously from San Francisco to…

Read MoreAutomotive News – Cruise casts shadow on self-driving tech at CES 2024