Latest news with #Robotaxi
Politico
34 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Politico
Elon Musk's Tesla hits a speed bump in its California ‘Robotaxi' rollout: Permits
Records also indicate no correspondence between Tesla and the DMV's autonomous vehicle branch from the start of 2025 to the spring, when Musk pivoted his focus to the Trump White House. Musk is trying to transform Tesla and sees a nationwide fleet of fully autonomous taxis and humanoid robots as the only ideas that will matter to his long-term business strategy. He took the first step in Austin, Texas last month, piloting $4.20 rides with a human in the front passenger seat under the 'Robotaxi' brand. But Tesla faces more hurdles to doing the same in California, where it lacks permits that would allow it to run any autonomous service, even with a safety driver, and to charge for it. Without those approvals, there can be no Robotaxi. Tesla scheduled two meetings with the California DMV this month, with the latest for last Thursday. Hours later, the DMV and another oversight body publicly warned the company against an unauthorized Robotaxi rollout in the San Francisco Bay Area, amid media reports of such plans. In both cases, Musk made a habit of dropping launch date targets just ahead of the calls. Two days before his team's first July meeting, the CEO posted on X that he was waiting on California regulators, despite not having submitted any recent applications. He gave a new timeline and location: 'a month or two' to bring Robotaxis to the Bay Area. Then, a day before the second DMV meeting this month, Musk spoke on an earnings call about his goal of getting permission for Robotaxi launches in the Bay Area, among other cities, by the end of the year. The term 'Robotaxi' was never used in obtained emails, letters and meeting invites exchanged between the company and the DMV's autonomous vehicle branch over the past year. Tesla and the employees mentioned in this story did not respond to requests for comment. Clearing the air The documents show moments where Tesla was on the back foot as it made appeals to the DMV. On April 10, Casey Blaine, Tesla's senior counsel of regulatory affairs, got in touch with the department to dispel a suggestion — made on social media by an unnamed employee — that it would introduce unsupervised, full self-driving in Los Angeles later this year — software for its cars to move autonomously without the need for human monitoring or intervention.
FACT
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- FACT
Robotaxi: Driverless vehicles launch in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia has created its first autonomous Robotaxi service. Developed by Chinese tech firm WeRide, in partnership with Uber and local collaborator AiDriver, a pilot fleet of Robotaxis has launched in Riyadh. The driverless vehicles are now operating on key routes across the capital, including locations such as King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and city centre areas. This is part of a pilot programme set to expand into full commercial service by the end of 2025. Transport Minister Saleh Al Jasser hailed the rollout as a demonstration of the Kingdom's strategic investment in next-generation mobility services. With AI-powered decision-making tools and real-time navigation systems, the Robotaxi offers a seamless, safe, and intelligent travel experience across the city. The Robotaxi service will feature designated pick-up and drop-off stations. The result is a convenient route for passengers to travel to and from the airport. These services will also cater to students and staff at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. The aim is to enhance transport efficiency, sustainability, and safety across Riyadh's urban networks. Expansion plans include a commercial launch expected by late 2025, with full-scale service available through the Uber platform. Robotaxis are also expected to help ease traffic congestion in Riyadh. This strategic plan supports the diversification of the Kingdom's economy and the reduction of reliance on oil. By introducing AI-powered and autonomous vehicles, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a centre of advanced technology and smart infrastructure. Go: Visit for more information.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Smart machines, smarter moves
As the automotive industry accelerates toward a software-defined and AI-powered future, a wave of innovation is transforming the very DNA of vehicles. From electric mobility to autonomous systems and generative AI in code development, the boundaries between technology and transportation are dissolving. This week's Auto Tech newsletter captures some of the most critical developments shaping the mobility landscape — in India and globally. Tata Motors redefines the car through software-first engineering Tata Motors is placing software at the centre of vehicle design and development, transitioning toward a platform-based approach that enables modular upgrades and embedded digital services. From infotainment to vehicle dynamics, software-defined architecture is enabling smarter, more adaptive products for Indian consumers. Watch the full story Tesla to roll out Grok AI assistant in vehicles next week Tesla will soon integrate Grok, developed by xAI, into its vehicle fleet. Unlike traditional voice assistants, Grok is designed for real-time reasoning and contextual awareness, representing a major leap in the in-car AI experience. This development reflects Tesla's broader strategy to make cars more interactive, intelligent, and personalised. Read more Bosch unveils affordable ADAS tailored for India Bosch has launched a cost-efficient Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that uses a single-camera architecture, developed locally for Indian road conditions. The solution brings critical safety features—such as collision warnings and lane-keeping assistance—to a broader consumer base, supporting mass adoption in the value segment. Explore the innovation Scrapped EV batteries may power India's lithium supply chain Amid India's rising lithium demand and import dependency, a potential domestic solution is emerging: recycling end-of-life EV batteries. By recovering valuable materials, India could partially meet its lithium requirements and reduce environmental risks, while strengthening its battery supply chain. Full report Tesla prepares to launch Robotaxi services in San Francisco Tesla is set to debut its autonomous Robotaxi fleet in San Francisco this weekend. The rollout marks a pivotal moment for self-driving technology, with implications for urban mobility models, regulatory frameworks, and the long-term economics of transport-as-a-service. Details here Tesla signs $16.5 billion chip supply agreement with Samsung In one of its largest procurement deals to date, Tesla has entered into a multi-year semiconductor supply contract with Samsung Electronics. This agreement secures chip inventory critical for Tesla's AI platforms, autonomous driving systems, and computing infrastructure across its global fleet. Read more Garuda Aerospace secures export clearance for drones Indian drone maker Garuda Aerospace has received official approval to export drones to key global markets, including the United States, Australia, and the Middle East. This development reflects India's growing capabilities in unmanned aerial systems and supports Make in India-led global expansion. Know more Digitalisation reshapes India's electric mobility sector As EV adoption scales up, the ecosystem is becoming increasingly digitised. From predictive maintenance and smart charging to real-time analytics, software-driven intelligence is helping optimise fleet operations, reduce costs, and enhance the end-user experience. Watch here Tata Elxsi and KAVIA AI collaborate to integrate GenAI into automotive software Tata Elxsi has partnered with KAVIA AI to bring generative AI into the automotive software lifecycle. The initiative aims to cut development timelines and improve software reliability, covering everything from code generation to interface design and diagnostics. Full story The Big Picture Vehicles are no longer just machines — they are intelligent, software-powered ecosystems. India's automotive tech capabilities are deepening, from affordable ADAS to global drone exports. Generative AI and autonomous technologies are moving out of labs and into vehicles. Supply chains and sustainability are taking centre stage, from chip sourcing to battery reuse. For insights into the fast-evolving automotive tech space, follow ETAuto for weekly analysis, trends, and deep dives. We'd love to hear what you think about this edition of the newsletter! Your feedback and suggestions help us improve and deliver content that matters to you.>
Gulf Business
17 hours ago
- 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.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard slams Elon Musk: ‘Cybertruck looks like a dumpster, world needed affordable EVs'
In a rare and candid interview, Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard has openly criticised Elon Musk 's leadership and recent strategic choices at Tesla. Speaking with YouTuber Kim Java, Eberhard did not hold back, calling the Cybertruck a 'dumpster' and slamming the cancellation of Tesla's affordable $25,000 EV as a disservice to global needs. Eberhard also expressed deep skepticism about Tesla's self-driving ambitions and raised concerns about safety and regulatory oversight. His remarks reveal a simmering feud with Musk and spotlight long-standing disagreements about Tesla's direction, values, and the future of electric mobility. Elon Musk's Cybertruck and EV priorities draw sharp criticism Eberhard voiced strong disappointment in Tesla's decision to scrap plans for an affordable electric vehicle in favor of pushing the Cybertruck. 'I am actually disappointed that Tesla canceled its low-end car program because that's what the world needs—not a truck that looks like a dumpster,' he said. The Cybertruck, with its polarizing design and high price point, represents a stark shift from the early Tesla vision of accelerating global EV adoption through affordability and accessibility. Beyond aesthetics and affordability, Eberhard took aim at Tesla's push for autonomous vehicles. He expressed doubt about the company's ambitious Robotaxi program and broader self-driving goals, saying, 'I'm more skeptical of that than most people are.' He pointed to safety concerns and a worrying tolerance for system failures that have, in some cases, resulted in fatalities. His comments highlight growing scrutiny over the regulatory leniency and marketing of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 20 Blue Flag beaches around the World Click Here Undo A long-standing rift with Elon Musk Eberhard's criticisms reflect more than just technical disagreements—they also expose a deeply personal rift with Musk that has spanned nearly two decades. Though Eberhard left Tesla in 2007 and settled a lawsuit with Musk in 2009, tensions remain. He remarked, 'Somebody pointed out that I'm still occupying real estate in his head, which is kind of funny.' Eberhard suggested Musk continues to publicly attack him, citing occasional jabs during high-profile events like TED Talks or on social media. Eberhard is still a shareholder, but not silent Despite the friction, Eberhard remains a Tesla shareholder and has previously expressed hope for the company's success. In his 2019 comments, he affirmed his support for Tesla's mission even as he distanced himself from Musk's management. His latest interview, however, shows a clear shift toward vocal opposition to the company's evolving product strategy and ethical direction. Tesla's current challenges amplify criticism Eberhard's remarks come at a difficult time for Tesla. The company has faced declining sales in major markets like California, backlash over pricing strategies, and billions in losses from cryptocurrency ventures. Musk himself lost $12 billion in a single day due to market volatility. Eberhard's critique adds to a growing chorus questioning whether Tesla is straying too far from its founding principles of innovation, safety, and sustainability. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
