Latest news with #ProPILOT
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Uber's UK Robotaxi Fleet is Ready, But Regulations Hold Keys
Uber U.K.'s self-driving fleet pushed back a year as lawmakers work on regulatory frameworks Uber's CEO has boldly declared that the company is ready to launch its U.K. self-driving fleet, but regulatory hurdles have caused the rideshare service to pump its brakes for now. In 2024, the U.K.'s Department of Transport said that the Automated Vehicles Act would allow autonomous cars to be on roads by 2026. However, current regulations require self-driving vehicles to have a human behind the wheel, and the deadline for details on how autonomous fleets can deploy has been pushed to 2027, Newsweek reports. 0:06 / 0:09 Walmart is selling a 'heavy duty' $89 step ladder for $48, and shoppers say it's 'sturdy and secure' Walmart is selling a 'heavy duty' $89 step ladder for $48, and shoppers say it's 'sturdy and secure' Watch More Last June's general election in the U.K. led to a new government reviewing legislative frameworks on self-driving cars, influencing the change in launch timing. Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of mobility at Uber, told the BBC: 'We're ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us.' Uber currently offers autonomous rideshare services with companies like Waymo in the U.S. — Source: Getty Macdonald added that Uber is working with 18 automated vehicle tech companies, including Wayve, which is helping launch Nissan's next-generation ProPILOT driver-assist system. In the U.S., Uber runs a self-driving fleet with Waymo, generally considered the world's leading autonomous rideshare service, with plans to deploy thousands of electric ID. Buzz self-driving vans starting next year in Los Angeles. The U.K.'s Department of Transportation is working to release autonomous vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027 while exploring short-term trials and pilot programs for the tech, according to the BBC. While Macdonald noted that Uber is ready to launch its robotaxis in the U.K., he emphasized the brand's commitment to safety by saying, 'One accident is too many.' Waymo reported in late April that its autonomous fleet was involved in 81% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to a human benchmark over tens of millions of miles. Autonomy expert highlights the hurdles governments and companies like Uber face with self-driving tech Dr. Saber Fallah, a professor of safe artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy at the University of Surrey, told Newsweek that the U.K.'s decision to delay regulatory frameworks for self-driving vehicles will help the public get on board with the tech that many still view as risky. 'While the maturity of certain technologies, such as those proposed by Uber, is advancing rapidly, readiness must be judged not just on how well the technology performs in ideal conditions, but also on how consistently and reliably it makes decisions in complex real-world environments. The fundamental challenge lies in bridging the gap between statistical learning and human-level reasoning. Current autonomous vehicle systems often lack the capacity to explain their decisions, adapt meaningfully to unique scenarios, or respond with the nuanced judgment that human drivers routinely demonstrate. True readiness requires systems that offer traceable reasoning, safety assurance, and hybrid validation under diverse conditions. Legally and ethically, certifying decision-making processes that remain unclear to regulators poses significant risks,' Fallah explained. Fallah also cited infrastructure gaps, primarily in digital connectivity and scenario testing, as hindering the progress of autonomous cars. In other words, self-driving vehicles can still experience difficulty communicating with each other and the road infrastructure, and there are limited ways to test all the real-world scenarios the tech might face. Uber headquarters, California — Source: Getty Final thoughts While Fallah raises several valid points on the challenges of commercializing autonomous fleets, he also offers insight into how tech companies and government regulators can overcome these obstacles. Fallah views the key ingredients to self-driving cars' success as emphasizing public assurance, regulation, AI transparency, and human oversight. This industry expert described the U.S. and China as placing less emphasis on assurance and regulation, but China has demonstrated a recent commitment to tighter regulations with actions like banning words like 'smart' and 'autonomous' from vehicle ads.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Uber's UK Robotaxi Fleet is Ready, But Regulations Hold Keys
Uber's CEO has boldly declared that the company is ready to launch its U.K. self-driving fleet, but regulatory hurdles have caused the rideshare service to pump its brakes for now. In 2024, the U.K.'s Department of Transport said that the Automated Vehicles Act would allow autonomous cars to be on roads by 2026. However, current regulations require self-driving vehicles to have a human behind the wheel, and the deadline for details on how autonomous fleets can deploy has been pushed to 2027, Newsweek reports. Last June's general election in the U.K. led to a new government reviewing legislative frameworks on self-driving cars, influencing the change in launch timing. Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of mobility at Uber, told the BBC: "We're ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us." Macdonald added that Uber is working with 18 automated vehicle tech companies, including Wayve, which is helping launch Nissan's next-generation ProPILOT driver-assist system. In the U.S., Uber runs a self-driving fleet with Waymo, generally considered the world's leading autonomous rideshare service, with plans to deploy thousands of electric ID. Buzz self-driving vans starting next year in Los Angeles. The U.K.'s Department of Transportation is working to release autonomous vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027 while exploring short-term trials and pilot programs for the tech, according to the BBC. While Macdonald noted that Uber is ready to launch its robotaxis in the U.K., he emphasized the brand's commitment to safety by saying, "One accident is too many." Waymo reported in late April that its autonomous fleet was involved in 81% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to a human benchmark over tens of millions of miles. Dr. Saber Fallah, a professor of safe artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy at the University of Surrey, told Newsweek that the U.K.'s decision to delay regulatory frameworks for self-driving vehicles will help the public get on board with the tech that many still view as risky. "While the maturity of certain technologies, such as those proposed by Uber, is advancing rapidly, readiness must be judged not just on how well the technology performs in ideal conditions, but also on how consistently and reliably it makes decisions in complex real-world environments. The fundamental challenge lies in bridging the gap between statistical learning and human-level reasoning. Current autonomous vehicle systems often lack the capacity to explain their decisions, adapt meaningfully to unique scenarios, or respond with the nuanced judgment that human drivers routinely demonstrate. True readiness requires systems that offer traceable reasoning, safety assurance, and hybrid validation under diverse conditions. Legally and ethically, certifying decision-making processes that remain unclear to regulators poses significant risks," Fallah explained. Fallah also cited infrastructure gaps, primarily in digital connectivity and scenario testing, as hindering the progress of autonomous cars. In other words, self-driving vehicles can still experience difficulty communicating with each other and the road infrastructure, and there are limited ways to test all the real-world scenarios the tech might face. While Fallah raises several valid points on the challenges of commercializing autonomous fleets, he also offers insight into how tech companies and government regulators can overcome these obstacles. Fallah views the key ingredients to self-driving cars' success as emphasizing public assurance, regulation, AI transparency, and human oversight. This industry expert described the U.S. and China as placing less emphasis on assurance and regulation, but China has demonstrated a recent commitment to tighter regulations with actions like banning words like "smart" and "autonomous" from vehicle ads. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
2025 Nissan KICKS, Audi SQ8: What's new in the UAE motoring world?
While many have taken a step back this month to relax, restore, and reflect, the automotive scene keeps its momentum going. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the launch of a bold new generation of a popular crossover, taken a performance SUV for a spin, and seen a carmaker go beyond the automotive realm for the sake of sustainability. 2025 Nissan KICKS takes off In stunning fashion, with smoke, lights, and all the theatrics, the all-new 2025 Nissan KICKS was unveiled for the Middle East market at the Sevens Stadium, Dubai. This popular sub-compact crossover has been transformed from a vehicle with commuter vibes to one with aspirational qualities. It is now larger and more powerful than ever before. The bold new design ditches its rounder, hatchback aesthetics for a proper SUV stance. It's still a relatively small package but offers more visual oomph thanks to squarer surfaces and more robust geometric design cues. The front features slim LED headlamps and slatted LED DRLs below them, and the rear gets a similar setup. It is also available with a striking dual-tone colour scheme and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches. The 2025 KICKS is also 'designed to make every drive effortless, connected, and fun.' The all-new cabin gets the signature Zero Gravity seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 470-litre boot. The latest ProPILOT technology, along with the 360-degree camera, is designed to make highway travel, city driving, and parking smoother and safer. Inside, the available dual 12.3-inch digital displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging keep everything at your fingertips and provide seamless connectivity. Also available is a Bose 10-speaker sound system, with 2 UltraNearfield speakers built into the front headrests. Under the hood, the 2.0-litre engine delivers 142 horsepower and 190Nm of torque – a bump of 24 hp and 48 Nm, respectively, over the predecessor's numbers. It works with Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT transmission to deliver a more responsive drive and is, surprisingly, claimed to be more economical as well, returning a claimed fuel economy figure of 18.5 km/L. Here in the UAE, the KICKS is on sale at Arabian Automobiles Company showrooms across Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates in four grades – S (Dh84,900), SV (Dh91,900), SV+ (Dh99,900), and SL (Dh114,900). First Drive: 2025 Audi SQ8 For those who find the 340 PS Audi Q8 too tame and the 640 PS RSQ8 too aggressive or superfluous, the SQ8 represents the balanced, halfway house between the two. This sportier version of Audi's flagship SUV is nearly five-metres long, which makes it marginally shorter but wider than the full-size Q7 SUV. Interestingly, the brown paint job called Sakhir Gold Metallic that our test vehicle adorned, combined with black alloy wheels, may have been scorned a decade ago. Today, this paint scheme draws a multitude of eyes. But personally, I think it looks even more appealing in Waitomo Blue (pictured here). No surprises inside. It has a typical Audi interior — loved for its minimalism, straight lines, and sharp cuts. But perhaps it's a tad too visually busy this time around. The A/C vents integrated into the slatted dashboard, now a common Audi feature, are present here too. The centre console houses an unusual stacked dual-screen setup — one for infotainment and the other for A/C functions. At its core, this is a luxury vehicle. With soft quilted seats, ample shoulder room, and about 3 inches of extra knee space in the rear cabin, the SQ8 is both comfy and palatial. The softly sprung suspension — despite the 23-inch wheels — delivers a plush ride. Owners who haul luggage often will also appreciate the big, square, illuminated boot. The 'S' in the name says it all. The SUV is all about amplified performance, and making this possible is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 — a dynamite of a motor. It delivers 508PS and 770Nm of torque, achieving 0-100km/h in a sports car-like 4.1 seconds. The 8-speed tiptronic gearbox isn't the smoothest, with slight jerks when shifting, but the rumbling exhaust is a standard delight. The Dh412,241 (inclusive of VAT) starting price is not as dizzying as some of its rivals, but is it appealing? After three days of driving, I can attest that it is. The Audi SQ8 has all the ingredients to make a fantastically sporty yet comfy family SUV but lacks the heritage — and hence remains relatively unknown — compared to some of its competitors. Perhaps some marketing magic is needed to etch its name onto the shortlist of potential buyers. Kia MEA expands 'Cycle of Life: Seeds of Change' project beyond GCC to Africa Kia Middle East and Africa is launching the second chapter of its 'Cycle of Life: Seeds of Change' initiative, advancing its vision of sustainable solutions beyond mobility and supporting Kia's goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. Building on the success of chapter one in the GCC, Kia is expanding to Zambia in partnership with UAE-based The Waste Lab, the people-empowering African Education Program, and ElectricLime Films. This chapter focuses on converting food waste into nutrient-rich compost to grow crops and generate biomaterials for eco-friendly textiles while promoting sustainable food waste management and community-focused education. Chapter one, launched during Ramadan 2023, raised awareness by collecting food waste from 150 Dubai households, transforming it into compost in the UAE, and concluding with a zero-waste farm-to-table iftar in Jeddah. Chapter two moves beyond awareness to direct environmental and social impact. Kia is sponsoring a six-month educational programme in Zambia, where 100 youth will be trained in composting, planting, and biofabrication. This hands-on initiative will equip participants to create a self-sustaining garden and produce sustainable biomaterials, reinforcing Kia's commitment to a circular economy.
