All articles tagged with #robotaxis
Self-driving robotaxis are debuting in London, challenging the city’s iconic black cabs and sparking skepticism from drivers who worry about congestion and job security as autonomous taxis begin testing in the capital.
Governor Hochul dropped a budget proposal that would have allowed limited robotaxi deployments outside New York City, a setback for Waymo as legislative support never materialized; Waymo has spent millions lobbying and currently tests driverless rides in NYC under a permit that expires March 31. Current rules require safety drivers, and the state did not move to authorize broader deployment, while Waymo aims to expand to about 20 more cities in 2026 and other AV developers have faced regulatory hurdles in NYC.
Waymo’s chief safety officer testified that overseas remote operators in the Philippines provide guidance to its robotaxis in challenging situations, but the vehicles retain full control. Lawmakers pressed on cybersecurity, data freshness, and operator qualifications as part of a Senate hearing on federal autonomous-vehicle safety rules, with context from related incidents and industry debates.
Alphabet’s Waymo has secured new financing that pushes its valuation to about $126 billion, signaling strong investor confidence as robotaxi services scale and likely accelerating development and deployment of autonomous-vehicle technology.
Business Insider's Lloyd Lee attended CES 2026 and concluded that Waymo appears to have a significant lead in the robotaxi industry, highlighting the challenges and advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, with a focus on the industry’s current state and future prospects.
London is becoming a key battleground in the US-China rivalry over autonomous vehicle technology, particularly robotaxis, highlighting the geopolitical importance of emerging tech industries.
Tesla's Q4 vehicle deliveries fell 16% to 418,227, missing expectations and marking an 8.6% decline for 2025, amid a challenging demand environment post-EV tax credit expiration. Despite the lower numbers, analyst opinions are mixed, with some viewing the results as better than feared. Tesla's focus for 2026 is on autonomous robotaxis and AI-driven services, with significant developments expected. Tesla's stock experienced a slight decline following the report, amid broader EV market competition and strategic shifts.
Tesla's stock faces potential big moves this week as CEO Elon Musk aims to launch unsupervised robotaxis in Austin by year's end and reports Q4 vehicle delivery numbers, which are expected to decline. The stock has recently retreated below key buy points but remains a top performer in the S&P 500 for the year, with investors closely watching these catalysts for future gains.
By 2026, AI will be integrated into daily life through innovative hardware like note-taking rings and robotaxis, with significant advancements in screenless AI devices, but the industry faces market volatility and societal challenges such as job displacement and social impacts of AI.
Tesla is aiming for a $3 trillion valuation by 2026, driven by advancements in AI, autonomous vehicles, and robotics, with key milestones including the deployment of robotaxis in 30 cities and the development of the Optimus humanoid robot. Despite recent stock volatility, analyst Dan Ives emphasizes that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Tesla's transformation from an EV manufacturer to an AI and robotics powerhouse, though execution risks remain.
Tesla's future is heavily focused on AI, self-driving cars, and humanoid robots, with significant investments in robotaxi services, new chips, and humanoid robots, despite delays and challenges. The company's stock has rebounded in 2025, driven by optimism about its AI-driven innovations, though some targets may be missed. Tesla aims to expand its robotaxi fleet, gain regulatory approvals, and develop new products, including the Optimus humanoid robot and next-generation chips, with a potential valuation of $3 trillion.
A power outage in San Francisco highlights the vulnerabilities of self-driving vehicles, as a Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles required human intervention to resolve an issue, demonstrating the ongoing need for human support in autonomous vehicle operations.
Chinese self-driving technology company Baidu is set to deploy robotaxis in London next year through partnerships with Lyft and Uber, marking a significant step in autonomous vehicle deployment in the UK, amid security concerns over Chinese technology dominance and data security. Lyft plans to test Baidu's Apollo Go cars in 2026, while Uber also announced plans to use Baidu's vehicles in London, as the UK government pushes to become a leader in driverless tech.
Uber and Lyft are partnering with China's Baidu to trial autonomous robotaxis in London starting in 2026, aiming to obtain regulatory approval. While Baidu's Apollo Go service is already operational in China, UK regulators and the public remain cautious about safety and trust issues related to driverless vehicles. The initiative aims to position the UK as a leader in future mobility, but safety concerns and regulatory hurdles need to be addressed before widespread deployment.
Baidu is partnering with Uber and Lyft to introduce robotaxis in London starting in 2026, as the UK accelerates its autonomous vehicle pilot programs, with Baidu expanding its global presence amid competition from other tech giants like Waymo.