TechCrunch Mobility: AV companies pick their lanes
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it.
-
-
Zoox grounds Atlanta test fleet after workers report toxic gas exposure symptoms
The repeated incidents led one worker to file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which opened an inquiry and told Zoox to investigate the exposures.
-
Waymo goes on offense ahead of Tesla’s Cybercab launch
Waymo argued that fully autonomous vehicles aren’t possible without using a mix of sensors and warned that pure end-to-end AI systems aren’t safe enough.
-
Sprains, pain, and whiplash: Waymo and Zoox test drivers are getting hurt as robotaxis scale
Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox sustained more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025 from hard braking or other sudden movements made by the autonomous vehicles, according to a TechCrunch review of data submitted to OSHA.
-
US government lab is probing Chinese lidar for security vulnerabilities
The security review is being performed by the Idaho National Laboratory, and the research is being funded by a company — or a group of companies — in the electric and autonomous vehicle industries.
-
Uber taps Rivian to build robotaxis in deal worth up to $1.25B
Uber is kicking off the partnership with an initial $300 million investment, while Rivian will provide as many as 50,000 autonomous R2 SUVs.
-
Zoox brings its robotaxis to Austin and Miami
After nearly two years of testing in the two cities, the Amazon-owned company says it’s getting closer to offering rides.
-
Waymo’s skyrocketing ridership in one chart
Waymo’s weekly paid robotaxi trips have increased tenfold in less than two years.
-
Waymo starts robotaxi services at San Antonio International Airport
It’s the fourth major airport Waymo is serving, adding to Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Francisco, and San Jose international airports.
-
Ex-Tesla engineer’s startup taps Pronto to help automate a copper mine
Pronto’s autonomous haulage trucks are about to start operating at Mariana Minerals’ Utah copper mine — the first such deal since Pronto got acquired by Travis Kalanick’s Atoms Inc.
