Politics

Cars, being fast moving and heavy, are quite dangerous. They should be well regulated for safety. But it turns out regulations can be bought and paid for by lobbying money…

Bloomberg

Bloomberg – Inside California’s Coming Fight Over Vehicle Speed Limiters

A discussion between David Zipper and California State Senator Scott Wiener on new legislation to mandate speed regulators on new vehicles. Explains the details on why mandating this simple and already existing technology would greatly improve safety on our roads. Also covers rebuttals to common arguments used against making this safety improvement.
Read MoreBloomberg – Inside California’s Coming Fight Over Vehicle Speed Limiters

Cruise Report by Quinn Emanuel Does not Provide Key Details to Regulators

An analysis by Michael Smith on the Quinn Emanuel Report (QER) on the October 2nd, 2023 crash where a pedestrian was dragged and seriously injured. The report was commissioned by Cruise to determine what went wrong and how to address the problems, both technical and operational. But the QER failed to address the most important issues and is therefore not an indication that Cruise is moving forward with improving safety.
Read MoreCruise Report by Quinn Emanuel Does not Provide Key Details to Regulators

The Robot Report – San Francisco files lawsuit to pump brakes on robotaxis

On December 11th 2023 San Francisco sued California's Public Utilities Commission to limit robotaxis, following safety incidents with autonomous vehicles (AVs) like those from Cruise and Waymo. The suit seeks to review and revoke permits that allowed unchecked expansion and demands better safety measures and regulations. Although Cruise lost its permits, Waymo, expanding to LA, remains affected. Waymo has challenged the city's appeal, emphasizing its commitment to safe operations.
Read MoreThe Robot Report – San Francisco files lawsuit to pump brakes on robotaxis

Washington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

San Francisco is suing a state commission for letting autonomous vehicle companies, like Waymo and GM's Cruise, operate without strict regulation, following numerous safety incidents. The city's action reflects growing concerns over self-driving cars, which were initially welcomed. The legal challenge aims to compel more rigorous safety standards and reporting for these vehicles, amidst fears they're compromising public safety and disrupting emergency services. Waymo remains operational, while Cruise lost its permit after a crash.
Read MoreWashington Post – San Francisco sues California over ‘unsafe,’ ‘disruptive’ self-driving cars

Teslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Waymo is poised to enter Los Angeles as it seeks CPUC approval to extend its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, while simultaneously collaborating with local stakeholders. Amidst previous expansions and 24-hour operations in San Francisco, competitor Cruise faces setbacks following an accident and permit revocation, highlighting Waymo's leading position in the race for driverless market dominance as noted by Dan O’Dowd, a critic of Tesla's FSD.
Read MoreTeslarati – Waymo has applied to expand driverless operations to Los Angeles

Forbes – Buttigieg Seeks Robocar Safety. Here’s How He Should Do It

See full original article by Brad Templeton at Forbes. In the wake of the recent tumultuous period for General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi unit, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeieg recently declared, “We’re going to do everything we can with the authorities we do have, which are not trivial,” to ensure self-driving vehicles…

Read MoreForbes – Buttigieg Seeks Robocar Safety. Here’s How He Should Do It
Burning Planet

In Which We Find More Evidence the CPUC Is Thoroughly Captured

See original article by Sue Vaughan at Burning Planet, which contains more useful articles about climate change and transportation. The California Public Utilities Commission is now reneging on a possible evaluation of the environmental impacts of Waymos and Cruises – and other commercial autonomous vehicles that may be authorized to…

Read MoreIn Which We Find More Evidence the CPUC Is Thoroughly Captured

SF Standard – How Cruise Secured Support From Local Groups as It Pushed To Expand Robotaxis

Article from SF Standard by Joshua Bote. Covers how Cruise and Waymo spent a great deal of effort and money to went over support from local groups, including disability groups. It worked, and the groups continue to support robotaxis even after the numerous problems they have caused.
Read MoreSF Standard – How Cruise Secured Support From Local Groups as It Pushed To Expand Robotaxis
A group of a dozen adults, including some people using white canes, manual and power wheelchairs, cross a sidewalk in Seattle Washington. The sky is grey and everyone is bundled up in warm clothes. There are apartment buildings on either side of the street, and trees without leaves.

Robotaxis Won’t Get Us There, So Let’s Stop Being Used to Sell a Future that Doesn’t Serve Us

Robotaxis won’t get us there, so let’s stop being used to sell a future that doesn’t serve us. This article is from Alice Wong’s DisabilityVisibilityProject.com where you can also find many other articles on disability issues.
Read MoreRobotaxis Won’t Get Us There, So Let’s Stop Being Used to Sell a Future that Doesn’t Serve Us

SF Standard – Cruise Hired a Lobbyist Close to Newsom. Then a Crash Changed Everything 

Article from the SF Standard by Josh Koehn. Covers how not only did Cruise and Waymo report spending $2.3m to lobby state and local politicians to allow them to use our roads as a testing ground, but Cruise did not report hiring Axiom Advisors, close partners with Governor Newsom, until after key CPUC hearing.
Read MoreSF Standard – Cruise Hired a Lobbyist Close to Newsom. Then a Crash Changed Everything