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 will test its autonomous trucks in Texas with brokerage firm CH RobinsonWaymo will test its autonomous trucks in Texas with brokerage firm CH Robinson
Fewer robot cars are driving more miles in CaliforniaFewer robot cars are driving more miles in California
Waymo sues California DMV to keep driverless crash data under wrapsWaymo sues California DMV to keep driverless crash data under wraps
Waymo plans fleet of self-driving, all-electric robotaxis with Chinese automaker GeelyWaymo plans fleet of self-driving, all-electric robotaxis with Chinese automaker Geely
Waymo says test vehicle was in manual mode when it struck a pedestrian in San FranciscoWaymo says test vehicle was in manual mode when it struck a pedestrian in San Francisco
UPS will make deliveries using Waymo’s autonomous Class 8 trucksUPS will make deliveries using Waymo’s autonomous Class 8 trucks
Waymo is bringing its autonomous vehicles to New York City for (manually driven) mappingWaymo is bringing its autonomous vehicles to New York City for (manually driven) mapping
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles keep getting stuck in a dead-end street in San FranciscoWaymo’s autonomous vehicles keep getting stuck in a dead-end street in San Francisco
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana on how to get self-driving taxis to the mall
Cruise gets the green light to give driverless rides to passengers in San FranciscoCruise gets the green light to give driverless rides to passengers in San Francisco
Waymo will no longer sell its ‘Laser Bear Honeycomb’ lidar sensors to other companiesWaymo will no longer sell its ‘Laser Bear Honeycomb’ lidar sensors to other companies
Waymo starts offering autonomous rides in San FranciscoWaymo starts offering autonomous rides in San Francisco
Waymo is building a hub for its autonomous trucks in TexasWaymo is building a hub for its autonomous trucks in Texas
Welcome to Simulation City, the virtual world where Waymo tests its autonomous vehicles

The Alphabet company is doubling up on simulation as it gets closer to commercialization

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo raises $2.5 billion in second external funding roundWaymo raises $2.5 billion in second external funding round
Waymo teams up with trucker JB Hunt on autonomous freight hauling in TexasWaymo teams up with trucker JB Hunt on autonomous freight hauling in Texas
A driverless Waymo got stuck in traffic and then tried to run away from its support crewA driverless Waymo got stuck in traffic and then tried to run away from its support crew
The autonomous vehicle world is shrinking — it’s overdue

‘The AV industry has promised too much for too long, and has delivered too little’

Andrew J. Hawkins
Google banks big in Alphabet’s post-pandemic-peak Q1 2021 earningsGoogle banks big in Alphabet’s post-pandemic-peak Q1 2021 earnings
Waymo is disclosing more autonomous vehicle data for research purposesWaymo is disclosing more autonomous vehicle data for research purposes
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

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