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Introduction to TechCrunch Mobility
Welcome to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for the latest news and insights on the future of transportation. To stay up-to-date on the latest developments, sign up for our newsletter here. In this edition, we’ll be covering breaking news, notable deals, and other tidbits from the world of mobility.
Breaking News: NTSB Investigates Waymo
A recent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been launched into Waymo, following reports of its robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses in at least two states. For more information on this developing story, read the full article.
Tesla’s Latest Moves
Tesla has made several significant announcements this week, including the launch of robotaxi rides in Austin without a human safety driver in the front seat. This move marks a significant step towards fully autonomous driving and suggests that Tesla is moving towards a broader ramp-up of its autonomous technology. Additionally, Tesla has discontinued its Autopilot system, which was first introduced in 2014. The decision to kill Autopilot comes as Tesla faces a 30-day suspension of its manufacturing and dealer licenses in California due to deceptive marketing practices.
Tesla’s decision to discontinue Autopilot may be an attempt to rebrand and refocus its efforts on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. By dropping the Autopilot name and moving towards a monthly subscription model for FSD, Tesla may be trying to distance itself from past controversies and position itself as a leader in the autonomous driving space.
Deals and Funding
Zipline, an autonomous drone-delivery and logistics startup, has raised $600 million in new funding, valuing the company at $7.6 billion. The funding will be used to expand its services to new areas, including Houston and Phoenix. Other notable deals include ABZ Innovation’s $8.2 million funding round, Ethernovia’s $90 million Series B funding round, and Serve Robotics’ acquisition of Diligent Robotics.
Notable Reads and Other Tidbits
Austin Russell, the founder and former CEO of Luminar, has agreed to accept an electronic subpoena for information on his phone pertaining to the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Geely Holding Group has released its five-year blueprint, which includes plans to operate a fleet of 100,000 robotaxis in China by 2030. General Motors is moving production of two gas-powered vehicles from China and Mexico to a U.S. factory in Kansas, which will also mean the end of its rebooted Chevrolet Bolt EV.
One More Thing…
Alex Roy, co-host of the Autonocast, recently traveled from Los Angeles to New York in a Tesla Model S, with the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving Supervised software handling all of the driving. The 3,081-mile journey took 58 hours and 22 minutes, with the FSD system successfully exiting the highway and parking at EV chargers. This achievement demonstrates the significant progress being made in autonomous driving technology.
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