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Autonomous Cars Archive

Archives for December 2023

Amrita Khalid
Amrita Khalid
GM and SF are now in a legal battle over a $108 million tax bill.

General Motors filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco last week, accusing it of unfairly taxing it $108 million over a period of seven years, reports Bloomberg.

San Francisco is where GM’s robotaxi arm Cruise was founded, and where the horrific dragging accident happened ahead of a full shutdown, executive exodus, and layoffs. The city allegedly tied the tax bill to GM’s global revenue of $3 billion — instead of the much more humble figure generated by Cruise.

GM Blasts San Francisco in Lawsuit Over $108 Million Tax Bill

[Bloomberg]

Waymo has 7.1 million driverless miles — how does its driving compare to humans?Waymo has 7.1 million driverless miles — how does its driving compare to humans?
How May Mobility went fully driverless while avoiding the pitfalls of robotaxisHow May Mobility went fully driverless while avoiding the pitfalls of robotaxis
Cruise lays off nearly a quarter of its staff after grounding its robotaxi fleetCruise lays off nearly a quarter of its staff after grounding its robotaxi fleet
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Cruise AV confirms nine leaders dismissed as its safety investigation continues.

Reuters reports GM-backed robotaxi startup Cruise told employees:

Following an initial analysis of the October 2 incident and Cruise’s response to it, nine individuals departed Cruise... we believe that new leadership is necessary to achieve these goals.

CEO Kyle Vogt already resigned, and now we know COO Gil West, policy officer Jeff Bleich and government affairs SVP David Estrada are also out.

Cruise was “days away” from green lighting robotaxis without a steering wheel in September. But after one of its cars struck and then dragged a woman in October, things have gone downhill. Now the industry wants help from Pete Buttigieg.

The AV industry sends an SOS to Pete Buttigieg

Andrew J. Hawkins
Tesla’s huge recall will make it harder — but not impossible — to misuse AutopilotTesla’s huge recall will make it harder — but not impossible — to misuse Autopilot
The AV industry sends an SOS to Pete ButtigiegThe AV industry sends an SOS to Pete Buttigieg
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Tesla Autopilot has a responsibility vacuum.

A pair of stories in The Washington Post today highlighted how little seems to stop Tesla drivers from ignoring company guidance about where and how to use Autopilot. It’s resulted in years of fatal crashes, court cases, scoldings, and investigations, but no impactful regulation.

As some drivers choose to use Autopilot where they shouldn’t, they wait for Full Self Driving, which Musk has promised for years, but Tesla has never delivered on.

Tesla drivers run Autopilot where it’s not intended — with deadly consequences

[The Washington Post]

Where are all the robot trucks?

The promised wave of autonomous big rigs never materialized. But 2024 could prove to be a pivotal year for the technology.

Chris Mills Rodrigo

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