6 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Waymo

When Google spun off its self-driving car project in 2016 as a separate company called Waymo, the auto world took notice. Since then, Waymo has led the pack of autonomous vehicle developers, setting the stage for what could be a massive transformation in personal mobility. The company was among the first to deploy fully driverless cars, and it has its sights set on ride-hailing and freight hauling as its commercial pursuits. Waymo’s position at the top of the technological hierarchy will tell us whether self-driving cars are truly transformative or just a passing fad.

Waymo simulated real-world crashes to prove its self-driving cars can prevent deathsWaymo simulated real-world crashes to prove its self-driving cars can prevent deaths
Waymo and Cruise dominated autonomous testing in California in the first year of the pandemicWaymo and Cruise dominated autonomous testing in California in the first year of the pandemic
Waymo says it’s ditching the term ‘self-driving’ in dig at TeslaWaymo says it’s ditching the term ‘self-driving’ in dig at Tesla
Robotaxis get the green light for paid rides in CaliforniaRobotaxis get the green light for paid rides in California
Waymo moved its self-driving cars in San Francisco to a ‘secured location’ in case of election chaosWaymo moved its self-driving cars in San Francisco to a ‘secured location’ in case of election chaos
Waymo pulls back the curtain on 6.1 million miles of self-driving car data in Phoenix

Over 21 months in Arizona, Waymo’s vehicles were involved in 47 collisions and near-misses, none of which resulted in injuries

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo and Daimler are teaming up to build fully driverless semi trucksWaymo and Daimler are teaming up to build fully driverless semi trucks
Waymo will allow more people to ride in its fully driverless vehicles in PhoenixWaymo will allow more people to ride in its fully driverless vehicles in Phoenix
Former Google exec Anthony Levandowski sentenced to 18 months for stealing self-driving car secretsFormer Google exec Anthony Levandowski sentenced to 18 months for stealing self-driving car secrets
Waymo is designing a self-driving Ram delivery van with FCAWaymo is designing a self-driving Ram delivery van with FCA
Volvo will use Waymo’s self-driving technology to power a fleet of electric robotaxisVolvo will use Waymo’s self-driving technology to power a fleet of electric robotaxis
Waymo’s robot minivans are ready to roll in the Bay Area for the first time since COVID-19 outbreakWaymo’s robot minivans are ready to roll in the Bay Area for the first time since COVID-19 outbreak
Waymo’s first external fundraising round just grew to $3 billionWaymo’s first external fundraising round just grew to $3 billion
As Waymo resumes self-driving tests, backup drivers are still worried about the virusAs Waymo resumes self-driving tests, backup drivers are still worried about the virus
Self-driving car engineer Anthony Levandowski pleads guilty to stealing Google trade secretsSelf-driving car engineer Anthony Levandowski pleads guilty to stealing Google trade secrets
Coronavirus shows there’s still no such thing as a totally human-free self-driving car

The decision by most companies to suspend AV testing during the outbreak is causing turmoil among human backup drivers

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo pausing some robotaxi service after safety drivers raise coronavirus concernsWaymo pausing some robotaxi service after safety drivers raise coronavirus concerns
Waymo drivers say they’re being discouraged from canceling robotaxi rides amid coronavirus

A recent incident in Arizona is highlighting the divide between Waymo employees and third-party safety drivers

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo’s next-generation self-driving system can ‘see’ a stop sign 500 meters awayWaymo’s next-generation self-driving system can ‘see’ a stop sign 500 meters away
This cheerful Waymo ad highlights all the ways we’ll use self-driving cars in our daily livesThis cheerful Waymo ad highlights all the ways we’ll use self-driving cars in our daily lives
Waymo rakes in $2.25 billion in self-driving unit’s first external fundraisingWaymo rakes in $2.25 billion in self-driving unit’s first external fundraising
This tweet reminded me that driverless cars can still blow our mindsThis tweet reminded me that driverless cars can still blow our minds
‘Disgruntled’ former Waymo self-driving car operator arrested for causing car crash‘Disgruntled’ former Waymo self-driving car operator arrested for causing car crash
Alphabet has moved technology incubator Jigsaw under Google managementAlphabet has moved technology incubator Jigsaw under Google management
Waymo workers complain about cuts to benefits and needles in self-driving cars

Workers have raised concerns about recent changes at the self-driving car company

Colin Lecher and Andrew J. Hawkins
UPS is buying thousands of electric vans and teaming up with Waymo to accelerate the future of deliveryUPS is buying thousands of electric vans and teaming up with Waymo to accelerate the future of delivery
Aurora is finally ready to show the world what it’s been up toAurora is finally ready to show the world what it’s been up to
Waymo is bringing its self-driving minivans and trucks to Texas and New MexicoWaymo is bringing its self-driving minivans and trucks to Texas and New Mexico
Waymo’s driverless car: ghost-riding in the back seat of a robot taxi
Play

Encountering construction, a wrong turn, and a flock of pigeons in the world’s only fully driverless car

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo’s robot taxi service is improving, but riders still have complaintsWaymo’s robot taxi service is improving, but riders still have complaints
Inside Waymo’s strategy to grow the best brains for self-driving cars

The Google spinoff has a head start in AI, but can they maintain the lead?

Andrew J. Hawkins
How Tesla and Waymo are tackling a major problem for self-driving cars: data

Autonomous cars won’t happen without tons of data, but Tesla and Waymo have a big head start

Sean O'Kane

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