General Motors is reviving its self-driving car efforts with a crucial shift in strategy: abandoning robotaxi ambitions in favor of developing autonomous vehicles for personal buyers. The company is bringing back ex-Cruise employees while growing its engineering teams, led by Sterling Anderson, GM’s newly appointed product development head who previously spearheaded Tesla’s Autopilot program. Additionally, GM is conducting real-world testing with lidar-equipped vehicles operated by human drivers on public streets, collecting critical data to advance fully autonomous technology that will ultimately deliver “eyes-free, hands-free” driving capabilities.

Wait times for this Chinese EV are so long that the CEO is telling buyer to consider rivals (Electrek, August 12, 2025)

Xiaomi’s new YU7 electric SUV, positioned to undercut Tesla’s Model Y with a longer range and a lower price, has sparked a frenzy in China, receiving a staggering 240,000 orders within just 18 hours of launch. But while the demand has exceeded expectations, production constraints mean customers may have to wait up to a year or more for delivery. In a statement, CEO Lei Jun acknowledged the delays and encouraged potential buyers in urgent need of a vehicle to consider alternatives such as XPeng’s G7, Li Auto’s L8, or even Tesla’s Model Y. While the YU7 has quickly established itself as a competitive force in the crowded Chinese EV market, Xiaomi’s open acknowledgment of its limitations reflects a transparent and pragmatic approach to customer expectations.

Tesla is hiring robotaxi test drivers in New York City, but company hasn’t applied for permits (CNBC, August 12, 2025)

Tesla has launched a hiring campaign in Queens for “vehicle operator, Autopilot” roles, tasking operators with driving engineering vehicles, collecting audio and video data, troubleshooting software, and filing detailed reports. Despite this ambition, the city’s Department of Transportation confirms that Tesla has not applied for the permits required to test autonomous vehicles on NYC streets, a legal step that remains unfulfilled as Tesla presses forward with robotaxi preparation. Concurrently, Tesla is running limited robotaxi operations in Austin and San Francisco with safety personnel inside but aims to scale its autonomous ride-hailing footprint, potentially covering “half of the U.S. population by year-end,” according to Elon Musk, pending regulatory approvals.

Tesla shuts down Dojo, the AI training supercomputer that Musk said would be key to full self-driving (TechCrunch, August 7, 2025)

Tesla is shutting down its Dojo supercomputer project, ending in-house chip development for driverless tech. Lead engineer Peter Bannon is leaving, and remaining team members will be reassigned within Tesla. The move follows the departure of about 20 employees who started their own AI firm, DensityAI, building chips and hardware for robotics, AI agents, and automotive use. This shift marks a major change in Tesla’s AI strategy, moving away from Musk’s vision of Dojo as the core of full self-driving and robotaxi ambitions. Musk recently emphasized Tesla’s focus on Cortex, a new AI supercluster in Austin. Tesla plans to rely more on external partners like Nvidia, AMD, and Samsung for chips, including a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung for AI6 inference chips. This decision comes as Tesla’s board offers Musk a $29 billion pay package to maintain his leadership and push AI initiatives forward.

NHTSA Issues First-Ever Demonstration Exemption to American-Built Automated Vehicles (US Dept. of Transportation, August 6, 2025)

The NHTSA granted Zoox an exemption for its driverless vehicles, marking the first-ever exemption for American-built vehicles under the expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP). This change, part of Secretary Duffy’s Innovation Agenda, levels the playing field for U.S. companies by allowing them to participate in AVEP, previously limited to foreign AVs. The program simplifies the exemption process, promoting U.S. technology and safety by enabling companies to test noncompliant vehicles on U.S. roads. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy praised the initiative as a dual victory for safety and innovation, positioning the U.S. as a leader in autonomous vehicle development. Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser emphasized the efficiency of the expanded review process. As part of the exemption, Zoox must alter vehicles to indicate non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. NHTSA is also closing its investigation into Zoox’s self-certification.

Elon Musk teases new Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving Supervised’, but manage your expectations (Electrek, August 6, 2025)

Elon Musk has announced a new update for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) which promises “10x improvements.” However, past experiences suggest caution in managing expectations. In a recent post, Musk mentioned enhancements like a tenfold increase in parameters and better video compression, slated for public release next month if testing succeeds. Although Tesla’s FSD for consumer vehicles hasn’t shown notable progress this year, focusing instead on its Robotaxi service in Austin, shareholders hope this new update leverages lessons learned from the Robotaxi deployment. In June, Musk initially teased a “4x increase” in parameters for this update, now expanding it to “10x.” However, previous promises, like the disappointing FSD v12.5 update claiming a “5x increase,” resulted in less reliable performance, making it prudent to remain cautious about these new claims.

A new report from Upstream, titled Under Pressure: Why After-Sales Quality Strategies Must Evolve in the Age of Connected Vehicle Data and AI, demonstrates that connected vehicle data could have identified 70% of U.S. automotive recalls ahead of time, with that figure jumping to nearly 90% for electric vehicles. Drawing from analysis of more than 5,000 recall campaigns and 30,000 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, the findings highlight an urgent requirement for manufacturers to abandon reactive quality management in favor of proactive, AI-driven approaches.

As software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures grow more complex and innovation cycles accelerate, particularly in EVs, OEMs face rising recall volumes and warranty costs. Upstream warns that traditional quality analytics are no longer sufficient and calls on automakers to modernize their processes by leveraging diagnostic data, machine learning, and cross-functional monitoring. The payoff? Faster root cause analysis, reduced recall scope, and stronger consumer trust in a software-driven automotive future.

Waymo robotaxis are heading to Philadelphia and NYC (Rebecca Bellan – July 7, 2025)

Waymo started two “road trips” to Philadelphia and New York City to explore expansion in the Northeast. These trips involve mapping new cities with a small fleet of human-driven vehicles that have Waymo’s autonomous driving system. Although past road trips have led to commercial services, such as in Los Angeles, a commercial launch in these new cities may not be immediate.

Waymo applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles in NYC, but regulations currently require a human driver present. The company aims to advocate for changes in these laws.

Tesla robotaxi incidents spark confusion and concerns in Austin (David Ingram and Bruna Horvath – July 5, 2025)

Two weeks after Tesla’s robotaxi service started in Austin, Texas, there are concerns about safety due to several viral videos showing the vehicles breaking traffic laws and behaving erratically. The service, launched on June 22, allows invited users to hail rides at a cost of $4.20. Each vehicle is controlled by experimental software, but an employee is present to intervene if needed. Experts caution that it’s too early to assess the service, though some city officials worry about the risks involved. Local lawmakers are calling for Tesla to prioritize safety and have even asked the company to delay its launch until new regulations take effect. Tesla has not provided significant details about its operation or the incidents.

Trump’s Megabill Is Ceding the Future to China (William Pesek – July 8, 2025)

A recent financial analysis argues that Trump’s newly signed “Big Beautiful” tax and spending bill significantly undermines U.S. clean-energy efforts, effectively empowering China’s progress in electric vehicles and renewables. By dismantling key subsidies, such as the $7,500 EV tax credit and rooftop solar incentives, the legislation shifts economic advantages toward traditional energy and away from green tech, potentially slowing U.S. momentum in emerging industries. The analysis warns that these shifts create a strategic opening for China at a critical moment when global clean-energy leadership is at stake.

GM’s Cruise Cars Are Back on the Road in 3 US States – but Not for Ride-Hailing (Paresh Dave – July 4, 2025)

Cruise robotaxis are back on the road in a limited capacity after GM shifted focus from its self-driving taxi business. Although human drivers operate modified GM Bolt vehicles equipped with testing technology in areas like Michigan, Texas, and the Bay Area, these are for internal tests and do not carry passengers. GM repurposed the cars to enhance advanced driver-assistance systems after a past incident caused operational disruptions.

AI sensors are quietly taking the wheel (Nik Miles – July 6, 2025)

Modern vehicles are discreetly receiving sophisticated AI-powered sensor technology that extends well beyond simple backup cameras. These smart systems are progressively assuming responsibility for steering assistance, braking decisions, and hazard recognition, creating a subtle shift toward semi-autonomous driving that works seamlessly behind the scenes.

Through the strategic placement of advanced machine learning cameras and lidar technology across vehicle platforms, car manufacturers are working to significantly boost both safety and user experience. These understated technological enhancements deliver better reaction times to potential dangers and more intelligent support during everyday travel, creating a gradual and natural progression toward complete vehicle autonomy.

SUVRAT KOTHARI 1-29-2025

Even though General Motors shut down its robotaxi venture, Cruise, in late 2024, the carmaker is still pushing with autonomous driving technology through its consumer-focused system, Super Cruise. Currently, Super Cruise is available on certain Chevy, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick models, with around 360,000 vehicles equipped with the system, according to GM’s 2024 earnings call earlier this week. Superior Cruise is an SAE Level 2 driver assistance system, comparable to Tesla’s Autopilot, and boasts a 20% subscription uptake among customers.

GM plans to expand Super Cruise to 24 different models by the end of the year and remains optimistic about the ongoing development and consumer demand for the tech. GM CEO Mary Barra noted, “80% of our customers say they either wouldn’t buy a car without it, or they would strongly want it in their next vehicle.”

Norway is set to become the first country to fully transition to electric vehicles

SAM MEREDITH 1-28-2025

Norway is a global leader in sustainable transportation, with EV sales soaring from less than 1% in 2010 to 88.9% in the previous year. Norway aims to erase gasoline and diesel cars from its market, supported by policies rather than bans. EVs surpassed 96% of new car sales early this year, nearing Norway’s goal from 2017. Celebrations are planned, marking this shift amid global environmental challenges, including Trump’s actions against low-carbon tech. Norway’s Deputy Transport Minister attributes success to supportive policies, contrasting EU’s and U.K.’s future bans on carbon-emitting cars. Incentives like VAT exemptions and charging infrastructure investment are pivotal. Looking ahead, Norway plans fully electric city buses by 2025 and aims for 75% renewable heavy-duty vehicles by decade’s end, signaling a new normal in transportation.

NHTSA proposes exemptions tailed for autonomous vehicles

JEREMOY WOLFE 1-29-2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a new voluntary oversight program to monitor automated vehicles, called the Automated Driving System-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (“AV STEP”). The program aims to offer exemptions for the deployment of autonomous vehicles and provide benefits to manufactuers, ADS developers, and commercial fleets that enroll in AV STEP. It also includes safeguard requiring participants to disclose their commercial operations and show how these efforts contribute to public interest, such as a focus on environmental sustainability or improving transportation efficiency. To be eligible for AV STEP, vehicles must meet SAE’s Levels 3, 4, or 5 of autonomy.

A new AI assistant from China has Silicon Valley talking

ANGELA YANG and JASMINE CUI 1-27-2025

A small lab in China, DeepSeek, has created an advanced AI assistant that has taken the U. S. tech industry by surprise. This assistant recently reached No. 1 on the Apple App Store and is said to outperform leading U. S. AI models with far fewer resources. DeepSeek’s large language model, R1, has quickly gained recognition, ranking just below OpenAI’s o1 model. The company has released another model, Janus-Pro-7B, that can handle different media types.

Tech stocks fell sharply following the news of DeepSeek’s success. Microsoft and other tech leaders have shown admiration for the new AI model, which is open-source and free to use. DeepSeek’s achievements have sparked discussions about the capabilities of small companies compared to bigger U. S. firms. Concerns about potential ties to the Chinese government have emerged, but many in the industry have praised DeepSeek’s innovative work.

Rivian to launch hands-free driving system in 2025

ARSHEEYA BAJWA 1-23-2025

Rivian plans to introduce its advanced hands-free driver assistance systems in 2025 and its “eyes-off” systems in 2026, according to CEO RJ Scaringe. Despite recent executive orders from President Trump targeting the EV sector, Rivian does not anticipate significant risks to its $6.6 billion loan for a Georgia plant. Rivian’s Gen 2 vehicles currently include the “Rivian Autonomy Platform,” requiring driver attention similar to systems from other automakers. This announcement occurs as scrutiny over driver assistance technologies intensifies, with competitors like Tesla advancing towards self-driving capabilities. Trump also recently overturned a 2021 decree seeking to make half of U.S. vehicle sales electric by 2030 and plans to reconsider EV tax credits.

2025 Model Y Juniper Arrives With End of ‘EV Mandate’

BROOKE CROTHERS 1-21-2025

The Tesla Model Y Juniper update faces pricing issues in the U. S. due to a changing EV market. The updated model, which is already in China, is set to arrive in the U. S. soon. President Trump announced plans to revoke the “EV mandate” and eliminate subsidies that favor EVs, which could affect the $7,500 tax credit for consumers. The credit is key to keeping Model Y prices low. Future pricing for the Model Y Juniper remains uncertain, and prospective buyers should consider purchasing now to benefit from the tax credit.