Breakthroughs in AI are fueling hopes that more data and smarter models can provide a shortcut to self-driving vehicles. Waymo, after more than 15 years and 200 million driverless miles, says there is none. Why it matters: The answer could determine whether the AV race is a long, expensive slog that rewards Waymo's head start — or a new track that lets newer rivals hit the road faster. Driving the news: Srikanth Thirumalai, Waymo's vice president of onboard software, said in an exclusive interview with Axios that it takes more than just better AI to safely deploy AVs at scale. - Waymo's goal from the start, he said, has been "demonstrably safe AI." But a growing reliance from competitors on single "end-to-end" AI systems introduces…
Fully self-driving cars for hire have been hailed as the technology of the future for years now. That future has finally arrived -- but only in some cities.
AI:Fully autonomous ride-hailing services have finally entered the market, though deployment remains strictly confined to specific urban centers rather than achieving universal availability. While tech interests frame this as a long-awaited technological breakthrough, the current reality is a fragmented landscape of limited jurisdictions where driverless vehicles operate under heavy geographic restrictions.Open
On this episode of "On Balance," Leland Vittert discusses the "YOLO Republicans" standing up to President Donald Trump. Will it work, and how will Trump react? Steve Cortes and Ashley Davis weigh in. Meanwhile, Abdul El-Sayed gains traction in Michigan, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is heckled by protesters accusing him of supporting "genocide" in Gaza. Will the Democratic establishment be able to pull the party away from its activist wing? Dan Turrentine and Nina Turner share their perspectives. Later, we examine Trump's growing frustration with Iran as concerns grow about the possibility of a prolonged conflict. Vice Adm. Robert Harward offers his perspective. Plus, the Chinese Trojan horse: How Chinese electric vehicles and…
Key requests Duffy laid out include strategies to boost revenue for the dwindling Highway Trust Fund that funds the maintenance, repair and building of U.S. highways and mass transit systems.
As the race toward autonomy unfolds, a new U.S. "Big Three" in mobility is emerging: Instead of GM, Ford and Chrysler, it's Waymo, Tesla and Uber. Why it matters: Automotive and tech giants, along with many well-funded startups, are vying for a slice of the self-driving future. The big picture: Autonomous driving technology is no longer science fiction. It's here. - Robotaxis are operating in about a dozen cities — with tests underway in many more — and driverless semi trucks are hauling loads across Arizona and Texas. - But safely deploying AV technology is only the start — the next phase of the AV race is about who can operate networks at scale. This will require building the infrastructure and large-scale operations needed to…
Data: Waymo ; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios Waymo is accelerating its rollout of robotaxis in the U.S., adding four new cities in Texas and Florida this week as self-driving technology begins to penetrate mainstream America. Why it matters: Armed with $16 billion in fresh capital from parent Alphabet and others, Waymo is quickly extending its lead over other players like Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox, which are still mostly in testing mode. The newest markets are Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando. - The service will start slowly, with riders invited on a rolling basis until Waymo adds more cars to its fleet and scales up necessary operations like vehicle charging, service and maintenance. - By later this year, it will be more widely…
