Latest news with #NewYorkCityDepartmentofTransportation
CNBC
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- CNBC
Tesla is hiring robotaxi test drivers in New York City, but company hasn't applied for permits
Tesla is recruiting test drivers in New York to operate cars with "automated driving systems," but the company hasn't applied for the permits it would need to test autonomous vehicles in the nation's largest city. A job opening on Tesla's website says the company is looking to hire vehicle operators in the borough of Queens. The hires will be "responsible for driving an engineering vehicle for extended periods, conducting dynamic audio and camera data collection for testing and training purposes." A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Transportation told CNBC on Monday that Tesla has not applied for approvals to test AVs on city streets in New York. InsideEVs, an electric vehicles news site, previously reported that Tesla was hiring test drivers for its robotaxis in Brooklyn. Any company that obtains a permit to test AVs in New York has to keep "a trained safety driver behind the wheel, ready to take control of an AV-enabled vehicle at all times," according to the DOT spokesperson. Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment. Alphabet's Waymo, the robotaxi leader in North America, has applied to test its AVs in New York, but its application remains under review, the DOT said Monday. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been trying to sell investors on a future for his company that's built around AI and robotics, rather than sales of its existing vehicles. But Tesla still earns almost all of its revenue from sales of EVs and battery energy storage systems. Tesla's EV sales have been on the decline this year, especially in Europe, partly due to Musk's decision to focus on the Cybertruck, rather than producing a more affordable EV with mainstream appeal. Some of the company's struggles are the result of a political backlash against Tesla because of Musk's incendiary political rhetoric, work with President Donald Trump, and endorsements of Germany's anti-immigrant AfD party. Along with its recruiting efforts in Queens, Tesla is also seeking to hire test drivers for its Autopilot team to gather data from drives in cities and suburbs of Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Orlando and Miami, as well as Palo Alto, California, home to Tesla's engineering headquarters. The current listings on Tesla's website say Autopilot vehicle operators may need to travel to international and domestic destinations and must be familiar with "automated driving systems," suggesting planned or ongoing testing of Tesla's robotaxi and FSD or Full Self Driving system, currently marketed as FSD Unsupervised in the U.S. Tesla notched a win in Texas last week, obtaining a permit to run a ride-hailing service in the state. The Tesla Robotaxi LLC permit and state regulations do not require Tesla to keep a human safety driver on board. However, Tesla has been operating a fleet of robotaxis in Austin since late June, with employees riding in the front passenger seat, tasked with manually intervening during a trip if necessary. The service has only been accessible to invited users. Musk said in a post on X over the weekend that he intends for the Austin service to open to the general public next month. In San Francisco, Tesla is also operating a limited, manned car service but promoting it as "autonomous ride-hailing." Musk posted last week that the company is "working as quickly as possible to get 100+ Teslas operating for autonomous ride-hailing (can't use the word "taxi" or "cab" in California) in the Bay Area and allow anyone to request a ride." The company is not authorized to carry passengers on public roads in autonomous vehicles in California, the California Public Utilities Commission told CNBC in a recent email. Tesla's approach to AVs has drawn federal probes, product liability lawsuits and recalls following injurious or damaging collisions that occurred while drivers were using the company's Autopilot or FSD systems. The California DMV previously sued Tesla, accusing it of false advertising around its driver assistance systems. While Tesla owners manuals say the Autopilot and FSD features in their cars are "hands on" systems that require a driver ready to steer or brake at any time, Tesla and Musk have shared statements through the years saying that a Tesla can "drive itself."
Fox News
07-08-2025
- Fox News
QR code scams rise as 73% of Americans scan without checking
By now, many of us have used QR codes as a way to quickly access menus, check into places, and make payments. But now, these convenient and contactless methods have become an easy target for cybercriminals. There has been a recent surge in "quishing" attacks, which are a form of phishing that uses QR codes instead of traditional methods like emails, text messages, and phone calls. Quishing is proving effective, too, with millions of people unknowingly opening malicious websites. In fact, 73% of Americans admit to scanning QR codes without checking if the source is legitimate. As experts warn, this growing trend could put people's personal information and money at risk. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my NordVPN's security researchers report that fake QR codes have tricked over 26 million people into visiting malicious websites. These codes hide in plain sight, too. In one case, they were stuck on top of payment portals, sending unsuspecting individuals to sites meant to steal their personal and financial data (e.g., passwords and credit card information). Some even installed malware on people's phones. Even government agencies have taken notice. The FTC warned the public earlier this year that cybercriminals are now attaching harmful QR codes to packages and sending them to people. The New York City Department of Transportation issued warnings about fake QR codes appearing on parking meters of all places. Even Hawaii Electric chimed in, as they noticed scammers are using QR codes to steal payments. These tactics mirror the ATM skimmer scam, where criminals place keypads designed to log keystrokes over an ATM to steal card information. But with QR codes, this tampering is harder to spot and easier to implement. The original purpose of QR codes was to track auto parts, so making them secure wasn't part of the plan. Their widespread use today has made them irresistible to scammers. Unlike traditional phishing methods, they make it easy for cybercriminals to hide their destination until scanned, removing an important layer of user scrutiny. Hackers are leveraging this ambiguity to deploy Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and infiltrate personal devices, including military networks. More than 26% of malicious links now come via QR codes, according to KeepNet Labs, a cybersecurity company specializing in AI-driven phishing simulation and human risk management. Soon, quishing will outpace conventional phishing. If you scan QR codes regularly, you might be panicking. But don't be, since the same tricks for avoiding phishing scams can also work here. Pause and consider the origin of every QR code before you pull out your phone. Quishing thrives on people scanning codes found on public signage, restaurant tables, packages, or payment terminals without questioning their authenticity. Cybercriminals often cover genuine QR codes with malicious ones that redirect users to fake websites meant to steal personal and financial information. Always ask yourself: Do I trust this location or the person who provided this QR code? If in doubt, don't scan. Consider using a reputable personal data removal service. These services routinely scan the web for your personal details (like addresses, phone numbers, and emails), removing them from public databases where cybercriminals might collect information to personalize their quishing lures. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Inspect the QR code's placement. Sophisticated scammers physically overlay fake QR codes on legitimate signs, especially on payment kiosks, parking meters, and package labels. If the QR code looks tampered with or is a sticker poorly placed over another code, avoid scanning it, as this is a common quishing tactic to redirect you to a malicious site. After scanning any QR code, double-check the URL before clicking through. One of quishing's dangers is that QR codes obscure their destination until scanned. If the web address looks suspicious, misspelled, unusually long, or filled with random characters, close the browser immediately. Never enter sensitive details like passwords or credit card information on a site you weren't expecting to visit. Install strong antivirus software across all your devices. Look for a solution that offers real-time protection, regularly updated threat databases, and built-in web protection. These tools can help detect malicious content hidden in QR codes and block dangerous websites that might automatically open after scanning. Since QR codes are increasingly used by cybercriminals to spread malware like Remote Access Trojans (RATs), having strong antivirus software in place is essential. To stay fully protected, make sure the software is set to update automatically and scan regularly. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices Even if attackers capture your credentials via a fake QR code, two-factor authentication creates an extra barrier. Always activate 2FA on your accounts, especially for email, banking, and other sensitive services. It thwarts many of the most damaging results of phishing, including those initiated by QR code scans. Whenever possible, manually navigate to websites instead of using a QR code, especially for payments, reservations, or account access. Searching for an event, restaurant, or service online reduces the chance of being tricked by a malicious redirect or fraudulent site. Frequently update your phone's operating system and apps. Criminals often exploit software vulnerabilities, and manufacturers regularly issue security patches. Up-to-date devices are less susceptible to malware installed via malicious QR codes. If you encounter what you believe to be a fraudulent QR code or fall victim to a quishing attempt, report it immediately to the organization involved and your local authorities or consumer protection agency. Your report helps others avoid similar attacks and keeps organizations alert to evolving scam tactics. By applying these steps, you make it significantly harder for cybercriminals to use QR codes as a gateway to your personal or financial information. In a world where 73% of Americans scan QR codes without checking the source, increased caution is your first and best line of defense against the quishing surge. QR codes are super convenient, but the risks they bring are becoming impossible to ignore. And you can count on scammers getting more creative as time goes on. That doesn't mean you have to stop using QR codes altogether, it just means staying informed and cautious is a must, because QR codes aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Will you avoid QR codes from now on, or will you be extra cautious moving forward? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
NBC News
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- NBC News
Waymo offers teen accounts for driverless rides
Waymo announced Tuesday that it is offering accounts for teens ages 14 to 17, starting in Phoenix. The Alphabet -owned company said that, beginning Tuesday, parents in Phoenix can use their Waymo accounts 'to invite their teen into the program, pairing them together.' Once their account is activated, teens can hail fully autonomous rides. Previously, users were required to be at least 18 years old to sign up for a Waymo account, but the age range expansion comes as the company seeks to increase ridership amid a broader expansion of its ride-hailing service across U.S. cities. Alphabet has also been under pressure to monetize AI products amid increased competition and economic headwinds. Waymo said it will offer 'specially-trained Rider Support agents' during rides hailed by teens and loop in parents if needed. Teens can also share their trip status with their parents for real-time updates on their progress, and parents receive all ride receipts. Teen accounts are initially only being offered to riders in the metro Phoenix area. Teen accounts will expand to more markets outside California where the Waymo app is available in the future, a spokesperson said. Waymo's expansion to teens follows a similar move by Uber, which launched teen accounts in 2023. Waymo, which has partnerships with Uber in multiple markets, said it 'may consider enabling access for teens through our network partners in the future.' Already, Waymo provides more than 250,000 paid trips each week across Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas, and the company is preparing to bring autonomous rides to Miami and Washington, D.C., in 2026. In June, Waymo announced that it plans to manually drive vehicles in New York, marking the first step toward potentially cracking the largest U.S. city. Waymo said it applied for a permit with the New York City Department of Transportation to operate autonomously with a trained specialist behind the wheel in Manhattan.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
New York City Pride parade 2025: Route, date, time and where to watch
As Pride Month draws to a close, cities across the U.S. are preparing for the final celebrations that punctuate the annual month of LGBTQ+ celebration. This weekend, June will go out with a bang with multiple highly anticipated parades that draw marchers and spectators to communities big and small. Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, where subsequent protests are credited with a shift in LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. Being the birthplace of Pride as we know it, New York City has one of the biggest and most iconic celebrations and marches each year. This year's theme is "Rise up: Pride in Protest," according to organizers. "As the LGBTQIA+ community faces increasing hostility and legislative attacks, this year's theme is a reflection of the Pride movement's origins in protest—and is a powerful call to action for our communities and allies to rally and march in defiant celebration, advocacy and solidarity," said Heritage of Pride. When is the NYC Pride parade? The NYC Pride March is scheduled to begin Sunday, June 29, at 11 a.m. ET. What is the NYC Pride parade route? This year's parade route begins on 5th Avenue between 25th Street and 8th Street, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. Marchers will proceed south on 5th Avenue and walk west on 8th Street. After crossing over 6th Avenue, the March will continue on Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall National Monument. It will then turn north on 7th Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before dispersing in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Avenue. How to watch the NYC Pride parade In-person viewing of the 2024 March will be available along the route streets listed above. Experienced Pride-goers suggest nabbing a spot along the main stretches early, as crowds can get thick. The yearly broadcast of the event is set to air on ABC7, ABC News Live and and on the ABC7 YouTube channel and will begin at noon.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Waymo has set its robotaxi sights on NYC
Waymo said Wednesday it has applied for a permit to test its autonomous vehicles in New York City, the Alphabet company's first step in a sticky regulatory process to bring its robotaxis to U.S.'s largest city. Waymo applied for a permit with the New York City Department of Transportation to operate its self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles with a human safety operator behind the wheel in Manhattan. New York's autonomous vehicle demonstration or testing permit requires a human driver to be able to take over; a $5 million insurance policy; and every test vehicle operator must be adequately trained in the safe operation of the test vehicle. New York law is especially prohibitive of autonomous vehicles. While securing a permit would be notable, Waymo is far from being able to launch commercial operations in the city — or even test without a human safety operator behind the wheel. Still, Waymo is pressing forward and said it's advocating for a change in state law that would allow for operating a vehicle with no human behind the wheel. The company is also trying to build goodwill in NYC and the state by working with several organizations such as MADD NY, YAI, National Federation of the Blind, and the Bronx Community College. Waymo told TechCrunch it has had positive conversations with lawmakers this year and hopes to keep making progress on regulatory changes. New York law states that any person operating a motor vehicle must have at least one hand (or prosthetic) on the steering mechanism at all times. Changing that wording will be key to Waymo eventually being able to deploy driverless vehicles. Other companies have tried to test in NYC before, including Mobileye. But these efforts never materialized beyond a few demonstrations or pilots. Waymo has eyed the massive market of NYC for years. In 2021, the company deployed its now retired Chrysler Pacifica minivans — the first self-driving vehicles in its testing fleet — to manually drive and map Manhattan. The company said at the time that each vehicle would have two people, one to drive and another in the passenger seat to help direct the activity of the driver, monitor the software on the vehicle in real time, evaluate the performance, and log comments. Those vehicles were never operated in autonomous mode even though they were all equipped with fifth-generation Waymo Driver, which was its most current and advanced self-driving system at the time. Over the past four years, Waymo has scaled in numerous other places. The company provides more than 250,000 fully autonomous paid trips each week in several U.S. markets, including Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
