Alibaba's Qwen AI is making waves at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, powering in-car voice commands across major Chinese automakers like BYD, Geely, and Li Auto, allowing drivers to order food, book hotels, and track packages hands-free as automakers race to stand out through smart software in a slowing EV …
Tesla kicks off production of its highly anticipated Cybercab robotaxi, a pivotal move in CEO Elon Musk's autonomous fleet strategy, even as the company battles a significant global sales slump.
Uber teams up with China's Pony AI and Croatia's Verne to launch Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, with testing already underway and plans to scale to thousands of autonomous vehicles across multiple European markets.
Amazon's Zoox is expanding its robotaxi service to Austin and Miami, scaling its fleet to 100 vehicles, pursuing NHTSA approval for 2,500 self-driving cars, and partnering with Uber to offer commercial rides in Las Vegas this summer.
Google Maps launches 'Ask Maps,' a Gemini-powered AI feature delivering personalized location recommendations from 300 million places, alongside its biggest driving overhaul in a decade featuring immersive 3D navigation, smart lane guidance, and real-time route disruption alerts now rolling out in the U.S. and India.
Zoox and Uber are joining forces in a multi-year deal to bring fully autonomous, all-electric robotaxis to Las Vegas this year and Los Angeles by 2027, making Zoox's self-driving fleet bookable directly through the Uber app.
Waymo deploys sixth-generation Ojai robotaxis with enhanced weather navigation to employees in San Francisco and Los Angeles, announcing expansion plans to 10 US cities and London while facing political scrutiny over Chinese-made vehicles in the rapidly growing $25+ billion robotaxi market.
Waymo's chief safety officer confirms that remote operators in the Philippines provide only guidance to robotaxis during challenging situations, while the autonomous vehicles retain full control of all driving decisions and tasks.
California Teamsters demand indefinite suspension of Waymo's operating license after a self-driving car strikes a child in Santa Monica, prompting federal investigation while the union cites ongoing safety risks and job threats from autonomous vehicles.
A Waymo robotaxi strikes a child near a Santa Monica elementary school during drop-off hours, causing minor injuries when the child suddenly enters the roadway from behind a parked SUV, prompting federal investigations by NHTSA and NTSB into the autonomous vehicle's safety protocols around schools.