News

The news media has expended considerable effort researching and publishing information about the robotaxi business. This channel highlights some of the important articles.

Euro NCAP Safety Tests Paint A Clear Picture Of Tesla’s Self-Driving Systems – But Not The One That Tesla Likes To Portray

See full original article and more at DawnProject.com Tesla supporters frequently point to Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP)’s tests of Tesla vehicles to claim that Tesla vehicles are far safer than other manufacturers, and that Tesla’s active safety systems protect those around them. Elon Musk himself has relied on Euro NCAP’s…

Read MoreEuro NCAP Safety Tests Paint A Clear Picture Of Tesla’s Self-Driving Systems – But Not The One That Tesla Likes To Portray

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

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 

Forbes – Cruise Robotaxi Dragged Woman 20 Feet In Recent Accident, Local Politician Says

Seminal article from Forbes by Cyrus Farivar that broke the story on how pedestrian was hit and dragged for 20’ by Cruise vehicle. This article completely changed the narrative of the incident. Note: Robotaxi Insider, a frequent contributor to the site, provided the source material to the reporter to break this important story.
Read MoreForbes – Cruise Robotaxi Dragged Woman 20 Feet In Recent Accident, Local Politician Says

Automotive News – Cruise robotaxi was second vehicle to strike San Francisco pedestrian, video shows

See full original article by Pete Bigelow at Automotive News. Editors note: this is a key article because the reporter viewed video from the Cruise vehicle and explains how the pedestrian was not suddenly “hurled” or “flung” into the path of the Cruise. Instead, the pedestrian was not severely impacted…

Read MoreAutomotive News – Cruise robotaxi was second vehicle to strike San Francisco pedestrian, video shows

The Dawn Project Video Shows How To Enable Autonomous Robotaxi Mode In A ‘Full Self-Driving’ Tesla

See full original article and more at DawnProject.com Santa Barbara, CA – Public Safety Advocacy Group The Dawn Project has released footage showing that a Full Self-Driving Tesla can easily be turned into a driverless robotaxi with just a few household items. These everyday objects easily circumvent the vehicle’s driver monitoring…

Read MoreThe Dawn Project Video Shows How To Enable Autonomous Robotaxi Mode In A ‘Full Self-Driving’ Tesla

The Lever – The Lobbying Surge Behind San Francisco’s Robo-Taxi Mayhem

Driverless taxi companies Cruise and Waymo wined and dined officials and landed a plum regulatory appointment before they scored free rein on San Francisco’s streets. See full original article on The Lever by Freddy Brewster. In the lead-up to California regulators voting earlier this month to allow driverless taxis to…

Read MoreThe Lever – The Lobbying Surge Behind San Francisco’s Robo-Taxi Mayhem

San Francisco seeks reprieve from CPUC decision allowing unfettered autonomous vehicle expansion

San Francisco officials, led by City Attorney David Chiu, have filed a motion to halt the CPUC's decision allowing unchecked expansion of commercial autonomous vehicles (AVs) by Cruise and Waymo. Citing public safety concerns and numerous incidents where AVs interfered with emergency services, the city is seeking a stay while challenging the decision's lack of consideration for safety and environmental impacts in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Read MoreSan Francisco seeks reprieve from CPUC decision allowing unfettered autonomous vehicle expansion