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Quick news that happened just as we were about to send out this newsletter. At National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into Waymo after its robotaxis has been spotted illegally stopping school bus stops several times in at least two countries. Read the full story here.
Now to our regular program…
Tesla made several moves this week — and before its quarterly earnings drop — designed to show progress, and even dominance, in self-driving technology. But, continue, there is more than just optics.
The week started with Tesla offering robotaxi passengers rides in Austin without human safety drivers in the front seat. If you recall, Tesla launched a limited service in Austin last year with a fleet of Tesla Model Y vehicles modified with an advanced version of the company’s driving software known as Full Self-Driving Supervised (that’s “unsupervised”). A human safety operator has been riding in the front passenger seat as a precaution since launch.
Not all of Tesla’s fleet in Austin will be full of drivers, and apparently there is a pursuit vehicle behind them. Still, it’s important and shows Tesla is moving toward a broader ramp-up.
Meanwhile, Tesla has turned off Autopilotan advanced driver assistance system that was first introduced to vehicles in 2014. Autopilot has gone through several software and hardware iterations over the years with new capabilities.
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Autopilot was immediately popular and controversial, in part because the name suggests the system is better than it actually is. (The driver is responsible and should be holding the wheel when Autopilot is engaged.)
Tesla eventually standardized the basic Autopilot system on all vehicles, while launching and charging for a more powerful system now known as Full Self-Driving (Supervised). The basic version, which is now dead, includes traffic-aware cruise control, where the vehicle maintains a set distance from the car in front, and Autosteer, a feature that centers the vehicle in its lane and steers it.
The decision to turn off standard ADAS comes a week after Tesla said it would stop charging a one-time $8,000 fee for FSD software and move all customers to a monthly subscription.
These decisions when taken together offer a fairly simple explanation: Tesla wants to realize more revenue from FSD due to its position as an AI and robotics company.
But there is another reason. The company faces a 30-day suspension of its manufacturing and dealer licenses in California after a judge ruled in December that Tesla was involved. deceptive marketing by overstating Autopilot and FSD capabilities.
The ruling was stayed for 60 days to allow Tesla to comply. Dropping the Autopilot name while cashing in on FSD is a bit of a bold move. But perhaps Tesla believes this is enough to feel good about the DMV.
Offer!
Ziplinea drone delivery and autonomous logistics startup, has been around for more than a decade, since Rwanda sent blood. Its progress has been slow and steady, winning other African countries and expanding into the United States. The trajectory is accelerating after launching a new drone platform in 2025 called P2 that focuses on home delivery of food and other goods.
Now, fuel with $600 million in new fundingexpansion ambitions have grown. The company, which is currently valued at $7.6 billion, is bringing the service to Houston and Phoenix and plans to expand to at least four other US states by 2026.
Fidelity Management & Research Company, Baillie Gifford, Valor Equity Partners, and Tiger Global participated in the funding round.
Another offer that caught my eye…
ABZ innovationa European-based agricultural and industrial drone manufacturer, raised $8.2 million in a funding round led by Vsquared Ventures, with participation from Assembly Ventures and Day One Capital.
Ethernoviaa San Jose, California-based startup that creates Ethernet-based systems for autonomous vehicles, raise $ 90 million in the Series B funding round led by Maverick Silicon – an AI-focused fund created in 2024 by hedge fund Maverick Capital.
Serving Roboticsa sidewalk delivery robot company backed by Nvidia and Uber, acquired Hardworking Robotics in a deal that valued the common stock at $29 million. Diligence builds a robot named Moxi designed to help in hospitals by delivering lab samples, supplies, and other tasks. Note: Watch for another autonomous vehicle tech-robotic crossover next year.
Terralayerthe German square-scale battery storage company, raised €192 million in a round led by Eurazeo. RIVE Private Investment, Creandum, Earlybird, Norrsken VC, and Picus Capital also participated.
TrueCar founder Scott Painter reacquired the company $227 million deal through the company Fair Holdings, and partners AutoNation, PenFed Credit Union, Zurich North America, and others. TrueCar will no longer be publicly traded, and Painter has returned to the CEO seat.
Recorded readings and other tidbits
Austin Russellfounder and former CEO of the bankrupt lidar company Luminar, agreed to receive an electronic subpoena for information on the phone about the company. The subpoena is related to Luminar’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Chinese cars Geely Holding Group released its a five-year blueprintand among its many objectives is a section on robotaxis. The company said that by 2030 its Cao Cao Mobility the ride-hailing unit will operate a fleet of 100,000 robotaxis covering major cities in China. It also describes plans to expand beyond China “in the near future.”
General Motors moved production of two gas-powered vehicles from China and Mexico and to a US plant in Kansas. The changes also mean the end of the rebooted Chevrolet Bolt EV, the only vehicle currently built at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas. Read more to find out when Chevy Bolt EV production will end.
Tesla aim to resume work in Dojo3company before leaving third generation AI chip. Dojo3 will not be intended to train self-driving models. However, CEO Elon Musk says it will be dedicated to “space-based AI computing.”
Waymo has opened a robotaxi service in Miami. Riders will be accepted on a rolling basis, with nearly 10,000 locals on the waiting list.
One more…
Alex Roywho hosts Autonocast with myself and Ed Niedermeyer, just traveled from Los Angeles to New York in a Tesla Model S, where the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving Supervised software. handled all the driving. This “Cannonball Run” route is one Roy is familiar with; he set a transcontinental driving record in 2007 when he traveled the route in 31 hours and 4 minutes. He has set another Cannonball Run record in EVs. Others have followed suit and are beginning to beat the record.
According to Roy, who captured the entire run on video, FSD (version 14.2.2.3) drove 100% of the 3,081 mile journey. This includes getting off the highway and parking at an EV charger. The time was 58 hours and 22 minutes.