Latest news with #AutonomousDriving
ArabGT
6 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Tesla Hit with $243 Million Verdict Over Fatal Crash
A courtroom in Florida may have just drawn a new line in the sand for autonomous driving. In a landmark ruling, a jury ordered Tesla to pay $243 million in damages following a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system. But beyond the headline figure, what really stands out is the message: when technology falls short, it can—and will—be held accountable. The tragedy claimed the life of Naibel Benavides Leon and left her former partner, Dillon Angulo, with lifelong injuries. Both were standing beside their parked Chevrolet Tahoe when a Tesla Model S, driven at high speed by George McGee, slammed into them. McGee had reportedly dropped his phone and was reaching for it when he ran a stop sign and red light—without any warning from the Autopilot system. The jury didn't let Tesla off the hook. While the driver bore a significant share of the blame, the court also held Tesla responsible—arguing that the design of Autopilot allowed for misuse, and that public claims from Elon Musk about its safety may have misled consumers. The verdict awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. Tesla was found liable for 33% of the total. For Tesla, this is more than just a legal blow. It's a moment of reckoning. The company pushed back, insisting the crash was due solely to human error and warning that this kind of ruling could slow progress in developing life-saving technology. 'No car—then or now—could have avoided this accident,' Tesla said in a statement. But for Dillon and the family of Naibel, this ruling was something else entirely: a recognition that something broke down when it mattered most, and that someone needed to be held responsible. Legal experts are calling it a turning point. Professor Alex Lemann of Marquette University noted, 'We've seen many fatal Autopilot crashes, but this is the first time Tesla has been hit with a major financial judgment. It changes things.' And it comes at a sensitive time. As Tesla navigates slowing EV sales and rising pressure to justify its massive market valuation, the spotlight is back on whether its bold promises about autonomy and AI are outpacing reality. At its core, this case raises a vital question: in a world racing toward automation, what happens when the machines we're told to trust fail us? The answer, at least in this Florida courtroom, is that someone must answer for it.
Gulf Business
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Here's why WeRide, Uber expect Abu Dhabi's ride volume to double
Image: Supplied Autonomous driving technology firm The partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) now enables Robotaxi service coverage across nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core urban areas, including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and highway corridors to and from Zayed International Airport. Since their joint launch in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, WeRide and Uber have tripled their 'Robotaxi' fleet. The companies plan to scale to hundreds of vehicles in the emirate by year-end, with service expansions slated for Khalifa City, Masdar City, and other high-density downtown zones. 'Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are high-demand areas and serve as key gateways to Abu Dhabi,' said Jennifer Li, CFO and head of International at WeRide. 'This expansion gives us the opportunity to reach more passengers, showcase our advanced technology in complex urban settings, and further accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the city.' Read: WeRide fleet highlights The Robotaxi fleet features WeRide's GXR model, a mass-produced autonomous vehicle designed for commercial deployment, accommodating up to five passengers. Each vehicle is expected to complete dozens of trips daily over a 12-hour operating window, with average ride distances exceeding six kilometres. The expansion builds on Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to integrate sustainable and intelligent transport solutions into its mobility infrastructure. 'This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system,' said Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, acting DG of the ITC. 'We are committed to embracing innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance our transport network and improve the quality of life for our residents.' Passengers can now access the expanded Robotaxi service via the Uber and TXAI mobile apps. The targeted districts, Al Reem and Al Maryah, are among Abu Dhabi's most dynamic hubs, with a high concentration of financial institutions, residential towers, and retail destinations, making them ideal testbeds for urban AV deployment. 'We're pleased to expand our autonomous vehicle service in Abu Dhabi in partnership with WeRide and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Mobility,' said Mohamad Jardaneh, head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber. 'Just as Uber helped millions experience electric vehicles for the first time, 2025 will be the year we bring AV technology into the mainstream.' The companies are also conducting fully driverless testing in Abu Dhabi, with public access expected in the coming months. WeRide operates the largest Robotaxi network in the Middle East and is the first publicly traded autonomous mobility company. Its vehicles have been tested or deployed in over 30 cities across 10 countries and hold AV permits in six global markets, including the UAE, US, China, France, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WeRide And Uber Expand Robotaxi Reach In Abu Dhabi
Autonomous driving technology company WeRide (NASDAQ:WRD) and ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) announced on Tuesday that they have launched Robotaxi services on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre. The expanded rollout is expected to double ride volumes and now covers roughly half of Abu Dhabi's urban core, including Al Reem, Al Maryah, Yas, Saadiyat, and major highway routes to and from Zayed International Airport. Since launching in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, WeRide and Uber have tripled the size of their Robotaxi fleet. Both companies plan to scale operations further, targeting hundreds of vehicles and expanded coverage into Khalifa City, Masdar City, and more downtown districts later this and Uber operate the largest Robotaxi network in the Middle East. The fleet features WeRide's GXR model, a mass-produced autonomous vehicle designed for commercial use that seats up to five passengers. Each vehicle is expected to complete dozens of trips daily during a 12-hour shift, with average ride distances exceeding six kilometers. Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, key finance, housing, and commerce districts, present challenging traffic and road conditions that underscore WeRide's technical capabilities in scaling autonomous systems. These deployments align with Abu Dhabi's vision to become a regional hub for smart mobility and innovation. Meanwhile, WeRide has begun fully driverless testing in Abu Dhabi, with public access expected in the coming months. In contrast to the operational strides made by WeRide and Uber, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) continues to face investor skepticism regarding its autonomous driving ambitions. Despite CEO Elon Musk's ambitious pronouncements, the company's financial results have been underwhelming, and its Robotaxi timelines have experienced notable delays. Following a weak earnings report, Musk reiterated a focus on driverless electric vehicles and Robotaxis, yet Tesla's stock experienced a 5.5% decline over five days. Analyst sentiment remains cautious; while Canaccord Genuity lauded the long-term Robotaxi vision, it underscored the immediate imperative for near-term growth. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, characterized Tesla's Robotaxi initiative as 'still small' with limited technical transparency. This backdrop highlights Tesla's continued struggle to gain a competitive edge in autonomous mobility against established players such as Alphabet's (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Waymo and Baidu's (NASDAQ:BIDU) offerings. From a market performance perspective, WeRide's stock is down 18% year-to-date. However, it has seen a significant recovery, gaining over 53% in the last three months. This volatility can be partially attributed to broader global economic uncertainties and the evolving landscape of U.S. trade and electric vehicle policies under the current administration. Price Actions: WRD shares are trading higher by 1.71% to $10.43 premarket at last check Tuesday. UBER is down 0.55%. Photo by Tada Images via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? WERIDE (WRD): Free Stock Analysis Report This article WeRide And Uber Expand Robotaxi Reach In Abu Dhabi originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pony AI Races Toward Mass Production, Gen-7 Robotaxi Hits Beijing Streets
Autonomous vehicle technology company Pony AI (NASDAQ:PONY) on Wednesday announced that its seventh-generation (Gen-7) Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) Robotaxi model has started road testing in Beijing. With multiple Gen-7 vehicles on the road, the company is steadily progressing toward mass production and commercial rollout. The stock gained after the update. The BAIC Robotaxi fleet operates within Beijing's 225-square-kilometer High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone. With this development, road testings of Gen-7 BAIC and Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) Robotaxi models are concurrently taking place in Beijing, Guangzhou, and multi-city deployment showcases Pony AI's autonomous driving system's robustness and flexibility and moves the company closer to its target of scaling up to 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025. Advancements in Autonomous Driving Technology Also this week, the autonomous driving company announced a significant operational milestone for its next-gen technology. The company's Level 4 automotive-grade autonomous driving domain controller has surpassed 2 million kilometers of on-road testing, demonstrating strong hardware reliability and software adaptability in its seventh-generation Robotaxi fleet. This marks a critical step toward commercial readiness and future profitability. Through extensive optimization, Pony AI cut the system's cost by 80% compared to the previous generation while extending its operational life to 10 years or 600,000 kilometers. Built in-house using Nvidia's (NASDAQ:NVDA) OrinX chips, the controller is designed for mass production with a simplified, integrated design that lowers wiring and manufacturing costs. Pony AI confirmed plans to begin mass production in 2025 with a 1,000-vehicle autonomous fleet, a key move toward achieving scale and long-term cost efficiency. Stock Performance and Recent Allegations Pony AI stock gained 158% in the last three months. NASDAQ Golden Dragon China Index (where Poiny AI is a constituent) gained 16% during the period. However, in July, Grizzly Research accused Pony AI of faking AV software data, using deceptive marketing, and offering poor service compared to rivals. The short seller also flagged worsening financials, overreliance on Chinese state support, and skepticism over a rumored U.S. deal. PonyAI responded by highlighting progress, including mass production of its Gen-7 Robotaxi and plans to scale to 1,000 vehicles by 2025. Price Action: PONY stock is trading higher by 6.08% to $14.83 premarket at last check Wednesday. Photo by Michael Vi via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Pony AI Races Toward Mass Production, Gen-7 Robotaxi Hits Beijing Streets originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Beyond Tesla: Under-the-radar stocks that could capitalize on the $1.2 trillion autonomous driving market
Driverless vehicles are no longer a moonshot, and it's not just Tesla (TSLA) or Google's (GOOG) Waymo that investors should have their eyes on. 'You need semiconductors, you need sensors, and then the final piece of the jigsaw is software,' Bank of America analyst Martyn Briggs told Yahoo Finance. 'All of those components are enabling autonomous vehicles to become a commercial reality.' The firm estimates the autonomous driving market at $1.2 trillion by 2040. Investors looking for value beyond the big names could consider companies in sensors and semiconductors. Bank of America's top picks in sensors, which help autonomous vehicles "see," include Aptiv (APTV), Denso (DNZY), Allegro (ALGM), Hesai (HSAI), RoboSense (XEDSF), and Nexteer (NTXVF). Picks for semiconductors, which power an AV's "brain," go beyond AI juggernaut Nvidia (NVDA). Other top names include Qualcomm (QCOM), Infineon (IFNNF), NXP Semi (NXPI), and STMicro (STM). Many of the companies boast big-league partnerships or industry-leading positions. Nexteer's largest US client is General Motors (GM), while Hesai leads the global automotive LiDAR market with over 30% share, followed by RoboSense (24%). Mercedes-Benz ( recently teamed up with Hesai to incorporate its LiDAR sensors into its intelligent driving vehicles, marking one of the first instances a non-Chinese carmaker has used Chinese tech. Other notable wins for Hesai include advanced driver assistance systems design contracts with Great Wall (GWLLY), Zeekr (ZK), and Geely (GELYF). Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Infineon are at the forefront of AI and 5G, while Horizon Robotics (HRZRF) is growing rapidly in China. The company's advanced driving and advanced driving assistance systems are used in 290 models across 42 brands, including all top 10 Chinese automakers. Yet these names are valued at significantly lower forward price-to-earnings multiples compared to the top autonomous driving name, Tesla, which trades at a whopping 163x. Another potential robotaxi player, Uber (UBER), trades at 34x. On average, the aforementioned BofA sensor picks trade at 33x, while the semiconductor names trade at 34x. A key debate in autonomous driving remains. Cars could solely rely on cameras and AI, like Tesla, or use a hybrid approach with LiDAR and radar, as seen with Waymo. George Gianarikas, managing director of Canaccord Genuity, said multiple sensor technology has long-term potential. In contrast, Tesla founder Elon Musk has claimed fewer sensors and the use of smarter cameras can outperform the human eye while reducing system complexity. He's gone as far as calling LiDAR technology "lame." The ultimate winners in the autonomous driving space may hinge on which approach dominates. 'If Tesla is right and all you need is a camera, others could be left behind,' Gianarikas said. 'But most companies today are betting on a mix of sensors; that's where the investment opportunity is right now.' Mobileye (MBLY), he added, is a key player. However, companies like Mobileye and Horizon Robotics primarily bundle autonomous driving software with their chips. Their stocks have dropped as automakers are increasingly developing self-driving software in-house. "They'll buy the chip from Nvidia or Qualcomm, but they don't want to outsource the whole brain," said Tom Narayan, autos analyst at RBC Capital. Despite the dip, investors looking to buy need to "consider whether the long-term growth thesis for these companies still holds." Still, there's potential upside for these companies if safety regulations push for standardized systems, said Narayan. He sees further long-term value in companies like Aptiv, which offers customizable hardware and software bundles that automakers can integrate into their own systems. On the sensor side, stocks of Chinese LiDAR makers Hesai and RoboSense have rallied, driven by strong domestic demand and scale. 'The vehicles of the future will do more with less,' Gianarikas noted. 'And the companies enabling that shift may quietly become some of the most important stocks in mobility.' Francisco Velasquez is a Reporter at Yahoo Finance. You can reach him via LinkedIn and X. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
