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A quick notice to readers: I will not be publishing any issues next week due to the July 4 holiday. I’ll see you all next week.
A series of articles this week highlights the continued – and apparently increasing – scrutiny of tesla automated driving system known as Full Self-Driving (Supervised). A fatal crash involving a Tesla that crashed into a home in Texas and killed a 76-year-old woman drew national attention after the driver told police that Autopilot, the company’s basic driver assistance system, which has since been discontinued, was engaged at the time of the crash.
Ashok ElluswamyTesla’s vice president of artificial intelligence software, shared a different account of the accident, say in
Their comments suggested the vehicle was equipped with FSD (supervised) and not autopilot, but without an independent investigation we don’t know for sure. But eventually we could do it.
He National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) now open investigations in the crash.
Meanwhile, Tesla settled a lawsuit related to a fatal accident in 2023 involving a vehicle using FSD (supervised). This crash is part of a different NHTSA investigation into the Tesla FSD focused on whether the system could “properly detect and respond to reduced visibility conditions on the road,” such as “sun glare, fog, or airborne dust.”
All of this attention comes as Tesla positions itself as an artificial intelligence and robotics company. FSD (Supervised) is currently the most visible and revenue generating product linked to that brand.
a little bird
A reader who had shared tips with us before alerted me to a research report on Waymo and its growing fleet of ojai robotaxis. To review, Waymo reached a supplier agreement with Zeekrthe brand owned by China Geely Groupto provide it with an electric vehicle designed to function as a robotaxi.
The minivan-type robotaxi was designed in Sweden and manufactured in China. (These vehicles do not contain any vehicular communication modules; current US policy prohibits Chinese connected vehicle technology.) Once it arrives in the US, Waymo takes control and adds its self-driving system. The Ojai is equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation system, which includes 13 cameras, four lidar sensors, six radar units, and a series of external audio receivers.
The New York-based research firm MoffettNathanson I did some research to find out how serious Waymo’s Ojai program is. The firm examined bill of lading documents, which are detailed receipts for shipped goods that are filed with the U.S. government. The company counted Zeekr CM1e or CME vehicle tags, the company’s tag for vehicles destined for Waymo.
MoffettNathanson, who shared his report with TechCrunch, found that Waymo is on track to import 3,156 vehicles into the US this year, about 300 vehicles per month.
Do you have any advice for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my sign at kkorosec.07, or email Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.
Offers!
Aseon Laboratoriesa Silicon Valley startup that develops mobile modules that can autonomously inspect, clean and charge robotaxis. raised $10 million in a seed round led by Crane Venture Partners. Other participants included Y Combinator, Uber co-founder Garrett Camp’s venture firm Expa, Robin Hood Ventures and Founders Capital.
caocao and May Mobilityan autonomous vehicle technology startup, associated jointly explore the commercialization of robotaxi services in international markets, starting with Europe.
Elroy Airthe autonomous heavy-lift drone startup, plans to go public through a merger with blank check firm Columbus Circle Capital Corp II. The deal is valued at around $1 billion.
In parta company creating artificial intelligence tools for the auto repair supply chain, raised 50 million dollars in a Series B round led by DST Global Partners.
I breathean African clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure platform, finalized a Investment of $55 million from NewTrails Capital, a Chinese growth-stage fund.
Terawatt infrastructureA company that provides electric vehicle charging for fleets, including Waymo and other autonomous and electric fleets, created a five-year senior secured credit facility that could allow it to borrow up to $300 million of the banks. The procedure will support the acquisition and development of cargo depots, the company stated.
Notable readings and other tidbits
Companies like tesla and zoox could get a boost from US Department of Transportationwhich has proposed changes to federal vehicle regulations that would allow companies to skip the inclusion of brake pedals in “vehicles designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems.”
Lucid engines is saying goodbye 18% of your staffor about 1,500 employees, and cutting the second shift of electric vehicle production at its factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. Reminder: The layoffs come just four months after the electric vehicle maker cut 12% of its staff. CEO Silvio Napoli said the cuts are part of an effort “to simplify the company, improve execution and position Lucid to be more competitive over time.” In this quest for simplification, what will Lucid give up?
Lyft executive director David Risher published a blog That caught my attention. In it, he laid out the company’s multi-sensor safety standard for autonomous travel. The result: autonomous vehicles that use one type of sensor cannot access the Lyft network. I contacted the company and they confirmed what this seemed to imply: vehicles like the Tesla Cybercab and Tesla robotaxis that use FSD (unattended) will not qualify because they only use cameras. By the way, the rules do not apply to advanced driver assistance systems. Therefore, all humans driving Tesla vehicles in the Lyft app are not affected.
OpenAI contracted Uber India President Prabhjeet Singh will be his first Managing director.
Pole Starthe Swedish electric vehicle maker owned by Chinese automobile giant Geely, may I no longer sell their new cars in the US market. Imported vehicles are restricted by a US government law that bans Chinese connected car technology.
samsarafleet management company, is launching business card-sized adhesive tracking labels to solve cargo theft.
Automatic whiteboardStart the radically simple electric truck at $24,950. Would you pay $25,000 for a two-seat truck with a 205-mile range, crank windows, no infotainment system, and gray composite finish (owners can order custom vehicle wraps)? And climate tech reporter and in-house battery expert Tim De Chant explains why Slate changed the battery in your cheap EV truck.
Uber faces a shareholder lawsuit which accuses the board of directors and management of putting profits before compliance and safety, decisions that have exposed the company and its shareholders to risk.
Waymo has created an entity in Germany, whose German media Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported for the first time. The company’s registration filing makes it quite clear that it is preparing to launch a robotaxi service in the country. However, this does not mean it is imminent, insiders tell me. Meanwhile, Waymo has eliminated its waitlist. nashvillea measure that opens its service to the public.
zoox cool your custom-made robotaxis a makeover as it prepares for commercial service and larger scale production at its Hayward, California facility.
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