TechCrunch Mobility: The hidden human cost of robotaxis
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it.
-
-
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.
-
TechCrunch Mobility: The custom chip driving Waymo’s robotaxi ambitions
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.
-
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.
-
Waymo hands over documents in NHTSA’s child collision probe
The responses to NHTSA’s questions so far are redacted entirely, citing “confidential business information.”
-
Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities
The next-generation robotaxi, called the Waymo Ojai, is central to the company’s push towards mass scale, and eventually, profitability.
-
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.
-
Who’s driving Waymo’s self-driving cars? Sometimes, the police.
First responders have had to take control of Waymo vehicles and move them during emergency situations, including in at least two active crime scenes, TechCrunch found.
