What We’re Reading
Waymo Is Latest Company Under Investigation for Autonomous or Partially Automated Technology (US News, May 14, 2024)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened another investigation into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles after 22 reports of crashes or traffic law violations. This has become the fourth investigation into automated driving technology announced by NHTSA within the past month, joining Amazon’s Zoox, Ford, and Tesla.
NHTSA announced it would be investigating the 22 Waymo incidents “to more closely assess any commonalities in these incidents.” The federal agency will be evaluating the automated driving system’s performance in responding to traffic control devices and crash avoidance with both stationary and moving objects and vehicles.
“Ultimately, I think it’s a good thing [NHTSA is] taking these steps, trying to figure out why these vehicles are acting the way they are,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.
GM’s self-driving car unit restarts testing on public roads (CNN, May 13, 2024)
After shutting down last October due to an accident involving a pedestrian, Cruise robotaxis are hitting the roads again. The self-driving vehicles will begin testing in Phoenix and will have a safety driver at the wheel of the modified Chevrolet Bolt EV ready to take over if needed. As you may recall, Cruise was forced to halt operations last fall after the California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended Cruise’s permits to operate vehicles in the state. Cruise then made the decision to stop all operations nationwide. Since then, “Cruise said it has updated its software to better respond to such incidents in the future”.
Tesla Rehires North America Charging Director, Report (EV, May 13, 2024)
Tesla has taken steps to rehire some of the approximately 500 members of its Supercharging team who were laid off in April, including Max de Zegher, former director of charging for North America. De Zegher, along with Rebecca Tinucci, a senior director, was part of the management let go by Elon Musk during the restructuring. De Zegher initially joined Tesla in 2013 as a Product Specialist in London and later became a Project Manager for Charging Infrastructure in the Northeast & Canada. Recently, Musk also announced plans to invest over $500 million in expanding the Supercharger network by adding thousands of new chargers in 2024. The exact number of rehired employees is currently unclear. Tesla reassured Australian customers via email that Supercharging services will be expanded and ongoing construction sites will be completed.